How to Ask Shipping Costs in Italian: 'Quanto costa spedire?' and Weight-Based Pricing
Learn to ask how much shipping costs in Italian, say 'How much to ship this?', and understand weight-based pricing with practical phrases and a dialogue.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you need to send a package in Italy, knowing how to ask about shipping costs is essential. This lesson teaches you the key question 'Quanto costa spedire questo?' and how to discuss weight-based pricing. You'll learn to ask about prices per kilogram, total costs, and shipping options. We'll focus on standard Italian used in post offices and courier services, with notes on regional variations where relevant. By the end, you'll be able to handle a conversation about shipping costs confidently.
By the end, you can…
- ask how much it costs to ship a package in Italian.
- understand and respond to questions about weight and pricing.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Quanto costa spedire questo?
How much does it cost to ship this?
KWAHN-toh KOH-stah speh-DEE-reh KWEH-stoh
Standard way to ask the cost of shipping a specific item. Use 'questo' for a masculine object; 'questa' for feminine.
Quanto costa la spedizione?
How much is the shipping?
KWAHN-toh KOH-stah lah speh-dee-TSYOH-neh
General question about shipping cost, not referring to a specific item. Useful when you already know what you're sending.
Il prezzo dipende dal peso?
Does the price depend on the weight?
eel PREHTS-tsoh dee-PEN-deh dahl PEH-zoh
Ask if pricing is weight-based. Common in post offices and couriers.
Quanto costa al chilo?
How much does it cost per kilogram?
KWAHN-toh KOH-stah ahl KEE-loh
Ask for the rate per kilogram. Use 'al chilo' for per kilo; 'alla libbra' is rare in Italy.
Quanto pesa?
How much does it weigh?
KWAHN-toh PEH-zah
Ask for the weight of the package. The answer will be in kilograms or grams.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Quanto costa' + infinitive or noun. For example, 'Quanto costa spedire?' (How much does it cost to ship?) or 'Quanto costa la spedizione?' (How much is the shipping?). To specify the item, add 'questo/questa': 'Quanto costa spedire questa scatola?' (How much to ship this box?). For weight-based pricing, use 'al chilo' (per kilo): 'Quanto costa al chilo?' You can also ask 'Il prezzo è a peso?' (Is the price by weight?). Remember that 'spedire' means 'to ship/send', and 'spedizione' is the noun 'shipping'.
When to use it
Use these phrases at the post office (ufficio postale), courier offices (corriere), or when arranging a shipment online. If you're in a shop asking to send a purchase, 'Quanto costa spedire questo?' is perfect. For a general inquiry before you have the item, 'Quanto costa la spedizione?' works. When the clerk mentions weight, you might hear 'Dipende dal peso' (It depends on the weight). Then you can ask 'Quanto costa al chilo?' to get the rate. In informal contexts, you might hear 'Quanto viene a spedire?' (How much does it come to to ship?), but 'Quanto costa' is universally understood.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buongiorno, vorrei spedire questo pacco. Quanto costa?
Good morning, I'd like to ship this package. How much does it cost?bwohn-JOHR-noh, vohr-REH-ee speh-DEE-reh KWEH-stoh PAHK-koh. KWAHN-toh KOH-stah?Dipende dal peso. Quanto pesa?
It depends on the weight. How much does it weigh?dee-PEN-deh dahl PEH-zoh. KWAHN-toh PEH-zah?Pesa due chili. Quanto costa al chilo?
It weighs two kilos. How much does it cost per kilo?PEH-zah DOO-eh KEE-lee. KWAHN-toh KOH-stah ahl KEE-loh?Costa cinque euro al chilo, quindi dieci euro in totale.
It costs five euros per kilo, so ten euros in total.KOH-stah CHEEN-kweh EH-oo-roh ahl KEE-loh, KWEEN-dee DYEH-chee EH-oo-roh een toh-TAH-leh.A little context goes a long way
In Italy, shipping costs are often calculated by weight, especially at post offices. The metric system is used, so weights are in kilograms and grams. When asking for prices, it's polite to start with 'Buongiorno' (good morning) or 'Buonasera' (good evening). In informal settings, like among friends, you might hear 'Quanto mi costa spedire?' but the standard 'Quanto costa' is always safe. Regional differences are minimal; 'spedire' is understood nationwide, though in some southern regions you might hear 'mandare' (to send) more often.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Quanto costa spedire questo?' with a feminine noun, like 'questa scatola', but saying 'questo'.
Try this instead: Match the demonstrative to the noun's gender: 'questa scatola' (this box, feminine) or 'questo pacco' (this package, masculine). For example, 'Quanto costa spedire questa scatola?' is correct.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'How much does it cost to ship this?' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Quanto costa spedire questo?
This is the standard phrase. You can replace 'questo' with 'questa' for feminine nouns, e.g., 'questa scatola'.
2What does 'Quanto costa al chilo?' mean?
Show a sample answer
How much does it cost per kilogram?
'Al chilo' means 'per kilo'. This question is used when pricing is weight-based.
3If a package weighs 3 kg and the rate is 4 euros per kg, how do you ask for the total cost in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Quanto costa in totale?
'In totale' means 'in total'. You could also ask 'Quanto viene in tutto?' but 'in totale' is clear and standard.
To ask shipping costs in Italian, use 'Quanto costa spedire questo?' for a specific item, and 'Quanto costa al chilo?' for weight-based rates. Always match gender with 'questo/questa' and remember that prices are per kilogram.
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