A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I need it gift wrapped" in Italian
Ask for your purchase to be wrapped as a gift in Italian shops.
Lo vorrei incartato per un regalo.
loh vor-RAY een-kar-TAH-toh pehr oon reh-GAH-lohneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're buying a gift in a shop and want the shopkeeper to wrap it nicely for you. It's common in clothing stores, bookstores, or specialty shops.
Alternatives
- Me lo incarta per regalo?Slightly more direct and common in very casual settings.
- Potrebbe incartarlo per un regalo?A bit more formal and polite, using the conditional.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'regalo' with 'regale'
'Regalo' means gift; 'regale' means to entertain royally.
Misplacing 'lo'
The pronoun 'lo' (it) needs to come before the verb 'vorrei' (I would like).
A small cultural note
While many shops offer gift wrapping, it's not always a standard free service, especially for smaller items. Sometimes there's a small charge.
Frequently asked
How to ask for gift wrap in Italian?
This is a clear and polite way to make your request in most shops.
Is gift wrapping common in Italy?
It's a good idea to ask if there's an extra charge, as it's not always included.
What if I don't need it wrapped for a gift?
This translates to 'I would like it in a bag, please.'
