A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I need a translator" in Italian
Learn how to ask for a translator in Italian for emergencies or important situations.
Ho bisogno di un interprete.
oh bee-ZOH-nyoh dee oon een-TER-preh-tehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this if you're in a situation where you need someone to translate for you, like at a doctor's office, a police station, or during an important business meeting.
Alternatives
- Mi serve un interprete.Slightly more direct, like 'I need' rather than 'I have need of'.
- Potrebbe aiutarmi un interprete?A more polite, indirect question, like 'Could an interpreter help me?'
Ways to get it wrong
Interprete vs. Traduttore
'Interprete' is for spoken translation, while 'traduttore' is for written translation.
Misplacing 'bisogno'
Always use 'Ho bisogno di...' to say 'I need...'; don't just say 'Bisogno di...' on its own.
Frequently asked
How do I ask for a translator in a very casual way?
You could try 'Mi serve qualcuno che parli inglese?' which means 'I need someone who speaks English?', but 'interprete' is more precise for professional translation.
