How to Ask Where a Supermarket Is in Italian
Learn to ask 'Is there a supermarket near here?' in Italian, understand location words, and find grocery stores with confidence.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you're in Italy and need to buy groceries, knowing how to ask for a supermarket is essential. In this lesson, you'll learn the key question 'C'è un supermercato qui vicino?' and the vocabulary to understand the answer. We'll focus on the expression 'C'è' (there is), location words like 'qui vicino' (near here), and how to ask for directions to a grocery store. By the end, you'll be able to ask politely and comprehend basic responses.
By the end, you can…
- ask if there is a supermarket near here in Italian.
- understand and use location words like 'vicino' and 'lontano'.
- ask for directions to a supermarket and understand simple answers.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
C'è un supermercato qui vicino?
Is there a supermarket near here?
cheh oon soo-per-mer-KAH-toh kwee vee-CHEE-noh
Standard polite question. Use 'C'è' for singular 'there is'. 'Qui vicino' means 'near here'.
Dov'è il supermercato più vicino?
Where is the nearest supermarket?
doh-VEH eel soo-per-mer-KAH-toh pyoo vee-CHEE-noh
Use when you want the closest one. 'Più vicino' means 'nearest'.
C'è un negozio di alimentari qui?
Is there a grocery store here?
cheh oon neh-GOH-tsyoh dee ah-lee-men-TAH-ree kwee
'Negozio di alimentari' is a small grocery store, different from a 'supermercato'.
A che ora apre il supermercato?
What time does the supermarket open?
ah keh OH-rah AH-preh eel soo-per-mer-KAH-toh
Useful for checking opening hours. 'Apre' means 'opens'.
Grazie, molto gentile.
Thank you, very kind.
GRAH-tsyeh MOL-toh jen-TEE-leh
Polite way to thank someone after getting directions.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 'C'è un/una + [place] + qui vicino?' means 'Is there a [place] near here?' Use 'un' for masculine nouns like 'supermercato' and 'una' for feminine nouns like 'farmacia' (pharmacy). For example: 'C'è una farmacia qui vicino?' (Is there a pharmacy near here?). To ask about more than one, use 'Ci sono' (there are): 'Ci sono supermercati qui vicino?' (Are there supermarkets near here?).
When to use it
Use 'C'è un supermercato qui vicino?' when you are in a new area and need to find a grocery store. It's polite and direct. If you want to be more formal, you can say 'Scusi, c'è un supermercato qui vicino?' (Excuse me, is there a supermarket near here?). In a small town, you might ask for 'un alimentari' instead, which is a smaller grocery shop. Remember that 'supermercato' is masculine, so use 'un', not 'una'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, c'è un supermercato qui vicino?
Excuse me, is there a supermarket near here?SKOO-zee cheh oon soo-per-mer-KAH-toh kwee vee-CHEE-nohSì, c'è un supermercato in via Roma, a due minuti a piedi.
Yes, there is a supermarket on Via Roma, a two-minute walk away.see cheh oon soo-per-mer-KAH-toh een VEE-ah ROH-mah ah DOO-eh mee-NOO-tee ah PYEH-deeGrazie. È aperto adesso?
Thank you. Is it open now?GRAH-tsyeh eh ah-PER-toh ah-DES-sohSì, apre fino alle otto di sera.
Yes, it's open until eight in the evening.see AH-preh FEE-noh AL-leh OT-toh dee SEH-rahA little context goes a long way
In Italy, small grocery stores ('alimentari') are still common in neighborhoods, while 'supermercati' are larger and often on the outskirts. When asking for directions, it's polite to start with 'Scusi' (Excuse me) to get attention. In the south, you might hear 'qui vicino' pronounced with a stronger accent, but the phrase is standard everywhere. Note that many shops close for riposo (afternoon break) around 1-3 pm, so check opening hours.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'È un supermercato qui vicino?' to mean 'Is there a supermarket near here?'
Try this instead: Use 'C'è' (there is), not 'È' (it is). 'È un supermercato' means 'It is a supermarket', which is a statement, not a question about existence. The correct question is 'C'è un supermercato qui vicino?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is there a supermarket near here?' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
C'è un supermercato qui vicino?
This uses 'C'è' for 'there is' and 'qui vicino' for 'near here'. You could also say 'C'è un supermercato qui nei dintorni?' but the standard phrase is with 'qui vicino'.
2What does 'Dov'è il supermercato più vicino?' mean?
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Where is the nearest supermarket?
'Dov'è' means 'Where is', 'il supermercato' is 'the supermarket', and 'più vicino' means 'nearest'. This is a direct way to ask for the closest one.
3How would you say 'Is there a grocery store here?' using 'negozio di alimentari'?
Show a sample answer
C'è un negozio di alimentari qui?
You replace 'supermercato' with 'negozio di alimentari'. Remember to use 'un' because 'negozio' is masculine. 'Qui' means 'here'.
To ask for a supermarket in Italian, use 'C'è un supermercato qui vicino?' Remember to use 'C'è' for 'there is' and 'qui vicino' for 'near here'. Practice the pronunciation and you'll be ready to find groceries anywhere in Italy.
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