How to Ask Where the Police Station Is in Italian
Learn to ask 'Dov'è la questura?' or 'Dov'è il commissariato?' and understand simple directions to find the police in Italy.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
If you need the police in Italy, the first step is asking clearly. Italian has more than one word for a police station, and the right one depends on the type of office and the city. In this lesson you will learn the key question 'Dov'è...?' (Where is...?), the most useful nouns for police locations, and the basic direction words you will hear in reply. You will also practise a short dialogue so you can recognise the answer even when it comes quickly.
By the end, you can…
- ask where the police station is using 'Dov'è' plus the correct noun.
- understand and give simple directions such as 'a destra', 'a sinistra' and 'sempre dritto'.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Dov'è la questura?
Where is the police headquarters?
doh-VEH lah kweh-STOO-rah
Use for the main provincial police headquarters (Questura), which handles permits and immigration paperwork.
Dov'è il commissariato?
Where is the police station?
doh-VEH eel kohm-mee-sah-ree-AH-toh
Use for a local neighbourhood police station (commissariato di Pubblica Sicurezza).
Dov'è la stazione dei carabinieri?
Where is the Carabinieri station?
doh-VEH lah stah-TSYOH-neh deh kah-rah-bee-NYEH-ree
Use for the Carabinieri, a national police force with stations in most towns.
Mi può indicare la strada?
Can you show me the way?
mee pwoh een-dee-KAH-reh lah STRAH-dah
Polite formula using the third person. Use it when you need directions to any place.
È lontano da qui?
Is it far from here?
eh lohn-TAH-noh dah kwee
Useful follow-up question after you have the name of the place.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Dov'è' + noun. 'Dov'è' is a contraction of 'dove' (where) and 'è' (is). It works with singular nouns: 'Dov'è la questura?', 'Dov'è il commissariato?', 'Dov'è la stazione dei carabinieri?'. With plural nouns use 'Dove sono': 'Dove sono i carabinieri?'. The noun keeps its article: 'la questura', 'il commissariato', 'la stazione'. Learn each noun with its article, because the article tells you the gender and helps you build the question correctly.
When to use it
Use 'Dov'è la questura?' when you need the provincial headquarters, for example for a residence permit or passport matter. Use 'Dov'è il commissariato?' for a local police station in a city. Use 'Dov'è la stazione dei carabinieri?' for the Carabinieri, who also handle reports and emergencies. In an emergency, call 112, the free European emergency number that works across the EU; 113 is the number for the Polizia di Stato. If you are not sure which office you need, ask 'Dov'è il posto di polizia più vicino?' (Where is the nearest police office?).
Understanding the answer
Answers often use 'sempre dritto' (straight ahead), 'a destra' (on the right), 'a sinistra' (on the left), 'alla fine della strada' (at the end of the street), 'di fronte a' (opposite), 'accanto a' (next to) and 'dietro' (behind). Distances may be 'vicino' (near) or 'lontano' (far). If you miss something, say 'Può ripetere, per favore?' (Can you repeat, please?) or 'Più lentamente, per favore' (More slowly, please).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, dov'è il commissariato?
Excuse me, where is the police station?SKOO-zee, doh-VEH eel kohm-mee-sah-ree-AH-tohSempre dritto, poi a destra. È vicino alla piazza.
Straight ahead, then right. It is near the square.SEHM-preh DREET-toh, poy ah DEHS-trah. eh vee-CHEE-noh AHL-lah PYAHT-tsahÈ lontano da qui?
Is it far from here?eh lohn-TAH-noh dah kweeNo, cinque minuti a piedi.
No, five minutes on foot.noh, CHEEN-kweh mee-NOO-tee ah PYEH-deeA little context goes a long way
In Italy, 'questura', 'commissariato' and 'carabinieri' are not interchangeable. The Questura is the provincial headquarters of the Polizia di Stato; the commissariato is a local police station of the same force; the Carabinieri are a separate national force with both police and military duties. In towns, the Carabinieri station is often called 'la caserma'. Using 'Scusi' at the start is polite with strangers. In an emergency, dial 112, the free European emergency number.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Dove è la polizia?' to mean 'Where is the police station?'
Try this instead: 'La polizia' means the police as an institution or the officers, not usually the building. Ask 'Dov'è il commissariato?' or 'Dov'è la questura?' for the station. If you mean the officers, say 'Dove sono i poliziotti?'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Where is the police headquarters?' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Dov'è la questura?
'Dov'è' means 'where is' and 'la questura' is the provincial police headquarters. 'Dov'è il commissariato?' is also correct if you mean a local station.
2You hear 'Sempre dritto, poi a sinistra.' What should you do?
Show a sample answer
Go straight ahead, then turn left.
'Sempre dritto' means 'straight ahead' and 'a sinistra' means 'on the left'. 'A destra' would mean right.
3Which word fits: 'Dov'è ___ stazione dei carabinieri?'
Show a sample answer
la
'Stazione' is feminine singular, so it takes 'la'. The full question is 'Dov'è la stazione dei carabinieri?'.
Ask 'Dov'è la questura?' for headquarters, 'Dov'è il commissariato?' for a local police station, and 'Dov'è la stazione dei carabinieri?' for the Carabinieri. Then listen for 'sempre dritto', 'a destra' and 'a sinistra'.
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