How to Ask When Check-Out Is in Italian
Learn to ask 'What time is check-out?' in Italian, understand check-out policies, and reply to staff questions at hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you stay in an Italian hotel, B&B or agriturismo, you usually need to know two times: when you can enter your room and when you must leave it. This lesson focuses only on check-out. You will learn the standard question 'A che ora è il check-out?', a more formal alternative, how to ask about late check-out, and how to understand the answer you get. The grammar is simple: 'a che ora' means 'at what time', and 'è' means 'is'.
By the end, you can…
- ask what time check-out is in Italian
- ask whether a late check-out is possible
- understand and confirm the check-out time I am given
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
A che ora è il check-out?
What time is check-out?
ah keh OH-rah eh eel chek-OWT
The standard, neutral question. Use it at the reception desk or on the phone. 'Check-out' is the usual word in Italian hotels; you may also hear 'la partenza' (departure).
Scusi, a che ora devo lasciare la camera?
Excuse me, what time do I have to leave the room?
SKOO-zee, ah keh OH-rah DEH-voh lah-SHAH-reh lah KAH-meh-rah
More formal and very clear. 'Scusi' is the polite 'excuse me' with a stranger. 'Devo' means 'I have to'; 'lasciare la camera' means 'to leave the room'.
Il check-out è alle undici, vero?
Check-out is at eleven, isn't it?
eel chek-OWT eh AL-leh OON-dee-chee, VEH-roh
Use this to confirm a time you have already read or heard. Adding 'vero?' at the end turns a statement into a check. 'Alle' means 'at' before a clock time.
È possibile fare il check-out più tardi?
Is it possible to check out later?
eh pos-SEE-bee-leh FAH-reh eel chek-OWT pyoo TAR-dee
Useful for a late check-out request. 'Più tardi' means 'later'. In many small hotels the answer depends on whether the room is needed for new guests.
Devo lasciare la camera entro mezzogiorno.
I have to leave the room by noon.
DEH-voh lah-SHAH-reh lah KAH-meh-rah EN-troh med-dzoh-JOR-noh
A typical answer from staff. 'Entro' means 'by' or 'no later than'. 'Mezzogiorno' is noon; 'mezzanotte' is midnight.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'A che ora è...?' (What time is...?). Put the event after 'è': 'A che ora è il check-out?' (What time is check-out?), 'A che ora è la colazione?' (What time is breakfast?). To answer, use 'È alle...' plus the number: 'È alle dieci' (It is at ten), 'È alle undici e mezza' (It is at half past eleven). Note that Italian uses 'alle' before clock times, not a separate word for 'at'. For a deadline, staff often say 'entro le undici' (by eleven), which is slightly different from 'alle undici' (at eleven).
When to use it
Use 'A che ora è il check-out?' with reception staff, and 'Scusi, a che ora devo lasciare la camera?' if you want to sound more formal or if the word 'check-out' has not come up. If you need more time, ask 'È possibile fare il check-out più tardi?' or 'Posso lasciare la camera più tardi?'. If you are told a time, repeat it to confirm: 'Alle undici, giusto?' (At eleven, right?). In some southern regions you may hear 'mezzogiorno e mezza' informally for 12:30, but in writing and in most hotels the standard forms are best.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buongiorno, scusi, a che ora è il check-out?
Good morning, excuse me, what time is check-out?bwon-JOR-noh, SKOO-zee, ah keh OH-rah eh eel chek-OWTIl check-out è alle undici. Deve lasciare la camera entro le undici.
Check-out is at eleven. You have to leave the room by eleven.eel chek-OWT eh AL-leh OON-dee-chee. DEH-veh lah-SHAH-reh lah KAH-meh-rah EN-troh leh OON-dee-cheeÈ possibile fare il check-out più tardi? Il mio treno parte nel pomeriggio.
Is it possible to check out later? My train leaves in the afternoon.eh pos-SEE-bee-leh FAH-reh eel chek-OWT pyoo TAR-dee. eel MEE-oh TREH-noh PAR-teh nel poh-meh-REE-joPossiamo fare mezzogiorno, ma deve liberare la camera entro mezzogiorno.
We can do noon, but you must vacate the room by noon.pos-SYAH-moh FAH-reh med-dzoh-JOR-noh, mah DEH-veh lee-beh-RAH-reh lah KAH-meh-rah EN-troh med-dzoh-JOR-nohA little context goes a long way
In Italy, check-out times are often earlier than in some other countries, commonly 10:00 or 11:00, and small family-run hotels may be stricter than large chains. A polite 'Scusi' and a short reason, such as a late train, can help, but a late check-out is a favour, not a right. If staff say 'possiamo fare mezzogiorno', they mean they can allow noon, not that it is the official time.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'A che ora è check-out?' without the article, or using 'a che ora è il check-in?' when you mean check-out.
Try this instead: Italian normally needs the article: 'A che ora è il check-out?' For check-in, ask 'A che ora è il check-in?' or 'A che ora posso fare il check-in?' Keep the two words distinct so staff do not give you the arrival time by mistake.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'What time is check-out?' in a neutral way?
Show a sample answer
A che ora è il check-out?
This is the standard question. 'Scusi, a che ora devo lasciare la camera?' is also correct and more formal.
2Staff say 'È alle undici e mezza.' What time is that?
Show a sample answer
11:30.
'Undici e mezza' means 'eleven and a half', i.e. half past eleven. In Italian, 'e mezza' follows the hour, unlike English 'half past'.
3How do you ask politely whether you can check out later?
Show a sample answer
È possibile fare il check-out più tardi?
This asks about possibility. 'Posso lasciare la camera più tardi?' is a valid alternative with the same meaning.
Learn one core question, 'A che ora è il check-out?', and one polite request, 'È possibile fare il check-out più tardi?'. Listen for 'alle' (at) and 'entro' (by), and repeat the time back to confirm it.
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