A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Twenty minutes by car" in Italian
Say 'venti minuti di macchina' to tell someone how long a car trip takes in Italy.
venti minuti di macchina
VEN-tee mee-NOO-tee dee MAK-kee-nahneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when asking for or giving directions, or when discussing travel plans. For example, you might say it when explaining how far a restaurant is from your house by car.
Alternatives
- venti minuti in macchinaSlightly more common in some regions, but 'di macchina' is universally understood.
- venti minuti d'autoA bit more formal or literary, less common in everyday speech.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'di' and 'in'
While 'in macchina' is also used, 'di macchina' is the most common and direct way to express 'by car' in this context.
Pronouncing 'venti' like 'vinty'
The 'e' in 'venti' is open, like the 'e' in 'bet', not a closed 'ee' sound.
Doubling the 't' in 'venti'
The 't' in 'venti' is single; don't pronounce it with extra emphasis like you would in 'pizza'.
A small cultural note
Italians often use 'di macchina' to specify the mode of transport when giving travel times, making it very clear.
Frequently asked
How do I say 'how long does it take by car'?
You can ask 'Quanto tempo ci vuole di macchina?' This is a common way to inquire about travel duration.
Is 'venti minuti di macchina' casual or formal?
It's a neutral phrase, suitable for most everyday conversations with both friends and strangers.
Can I say 'venti minuti in auto'?
Yes, 'in auto' is also correct, but 'di macchina' is generally more common in spoken Italian for this specific phrase.
