Shopping - Lesson 10 - Conversation:

In un negozio di articoli da regalo

(In a souvenir shop)


(photo by  Yilmaz Oevuenc used under terms of Creative Commons license.)
souvenir shop venice


 






Signora Smith:

Può mostrarmi quella tovaglia? Quanto costa?

Commessa:

400.000 lire. È piuttosto cara, ma il ricamo è fatto a mano.

Signora Smith:

Si, è troppo cara. Non ha qualcosa di meno caro?

Commessa: 

C’è questa qui a 220.500 lire. È anche molto carina.

Signora Smith:

Si, mi piace.

Don Smith:

Può farci un buon prezzo?

Commessa:

Mi dispiace. Abbiamo i prezzi fissi.

Don Smith:

Bene, d'accordo. Vorrei anche questi due portacenere e quella statuetta.

Commessa:

Va bene, Signore. In tutto fanno 440.500 lire.

 

Translation:

Mrs. Smith:

Can you show me that tablecloth? How much does it cost?

Salesperson:

400,000 lire. It's rather expensive, but the embroidery is handmade.

Mrs. Smith:

Yes, it's too expensive. Don't you have something less expensive?

Salesperson:

There is this one at 220,500 lire. It's very pretty, too.

Mrs. Smith:

Yes, I like it.

Don Smith:

Can you give us a good price?

Salesperson:

I'm sorry. We have fixed prices.

Don Smith:

Well, agreed. I'd like also these two ashtrays and that little statue.

Salesperson:

All right, sir. That comes to 440,500 lire.


 



Notes on conversation

1. You will be pleasantly surprised at the variety and volume of goods available on the local Italian market. Whether  it refers to shoes, high fashion, cars, or many other items, "Made in Italy" stands for style and quality of craftsmanship.

2. Cara means "expensive" and "dear." For example, La tovaglia è cara, "The tablecloth is expensive;" or, la mia cara moglie, "my dear wife."

3. The suffix etto/a attached to a noun means "little." For example, statuetta, piccola statua; vasetto, piccolo vaso.