A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Do you have this in another color" in Italian
Learn how to ask for a clothing item or product in a different color while shopping in Italy with this essential phrasebook entry.
Ce l'ha in un altro colore?
che LAH een oon AHL-troh koh-LOH-rehformal
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when browsing a boutique, department store, or clothing shop in Italy and you find an item you like but want to see if more color options are available. It is perfect for interacting with shop assistants in high-street stores like Zara or local independent shops. You can point to the item or hold it up while asking to make your intent completely clear.
Alternatives
- Ce l'hai in un altro colore?Better if you are shopping at a casual open-air market or talking to a very young shop assistant
- Quali altri colori ci sono?Better if you want to ask generally what other colors are available for that item
- Avete questo in altri colori?Better when addressing the shop staff as a collective collective 'you all' in a larger department store
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'tu' instead of 'Lei'
Avoid saying 'ce l'hai' to an adult shop assistant, as using the casual register can come across as rude or overly familiar in Italian retail settings.
Dropping the 'ce l'' particles
English speakers often say 'Ha questo in altro colore?', but Italian requires the pronominal particles 'ce l'ha' (literally 'lo/la ha') to sound natural when referring to the item.
Mispronouncing the 'c' in 'ce'
Ensure the 'ce' is pronounced like the 'ch' in 'cheese' rather than an 's' sound or a hard 'k' sound.
A small cultural note
In Italy, independent boutique culture is still very strong, and entering a shop usually involves a polite greeting ('Buongiorno' or 'Buonasera') to the clerk before you start browsing or asking for different colors.
