How to Ask the Driver in Italian to Tell You When to Get Off
Learn to say 'Can you tell me when to get off?' in Italian, understand the driver's confirmation, and use polite requests for assistance on buses, trams, and trains.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you take a bus, tram, or train in Italy, you often need the driver or conductor to let you know when your stop is coming. This lesson teaches you the exact phrase to ask 'Can you tell me when to get off?' in Italian, how to understand the driver's reply, and how to make your request politely. You will also learn to specify your stop and thank the driver. The focus is on spoken interaction: asking for help and confirming that the driver will assist you. No prior grammar is needed beyond the present tense of a few common verbs.
By the end, you can…
- ask a driver or conductor to tell me when to get off.
- understand a simple confirmation that the driver will tell me.
- name my stop or destination when making the request.
- thank the driver and respond appropriately.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Può dirmi quando devo scendere?
Can you tell me when I need to get off?
pwoh DEER-mee KWAHN-doh DEH-voh SHEN-deh-reh
Standard polite request using the third-person singular 'Può' (you can). Use with a bus driver, tram driver, or train conductor. 'Scendere' means 'to get off' (from a vehicle).
Mi avvisa quando arriviamo alla mia fermata?
Will you let me know when we arrive at my stop?
mee ahv-VEE-zah KWAHN-doh ar-ree-VYAH-moh AHL-lah MEE-ah fehr-MAH-tah
Alternative polite request. 'Avvisare' = to notify. 'Fermata' is the bus/tram stop. Use when you want the driver to alert you before the stop.
Devo scendere alla fermata di...
I need to get off at the ... stop.
DEH-voh SHEN-deh-reh AHL-lah fehr-MAH-tah dee
Add the name of your stop or a landmark. For example: 'alla fermata di Piazza Venezia'. This helps the driver know exactly where you are going.
Sì, certo, le dico io.
Yes, of course, I'll tell you.
see CHEHR-toh leh DEE-koh EE-oh
A typical driver's confirmation. 'Le' is the polite indirect object pronoun for 'to you'. You may also hear 'La avviso io' (I'll notify you).
Grazie mille, molto gentile.
Thanks a lot, very kind.
GRAH-tsyeh MEEL-leh MOHL-toh jen-TEE-leh
A warm thank-you. Use after the driver confirms or when you get off. 'Gentile' means kind; it is common in polite exchanges.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Può dirmi quando...?' (Can you tell me when...?). 'Può' is the polite 'you can' form (third-person singular of 'potere'). 'Dirmi' combines 'dire' (to tell) + 'mi' (to me). Then add a clause with 'quando' + present tense: 'quando devo scendere' (when I need to get off). You can also use 'Mi avvisa quando...?' (Will you let me know when...?) with the verb 'avvisare'. Both are polite and common. To specify your stop, add 'alla fermata di...' after 'scendere': 'Devo scendere alla fermata di Via Roma.'
When to use it
Use these phrases when you board a bus, tram, or regional train and are unsure of your stop. Address the driver directly if you are near the front, or the conductor if there is one. In Italy, many buses announce stops, but not all; asking is normal and appreciated. If the driver replies 'Sì, certo, le dico io' or 'La avviso io', they are confirming they will tell you. If they say 'Non c'è problema' (No problem), that also means yes. If they seem busy, keep it short: 'Mi avvisa alla fermata di...?' is enough.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, può dirmi quando devo scendere per il centro?
Excuse me, can you tell me when I need to get off for the city center?SKOO-zee pwoh DEER-mee KWAHN-doh DEH-voh SHEN-deh-reh pehr eel CHEN-trohSì, certo. Deve scendere alla terza fermata. Le dico io.
Yes, of course. You need to get off at the third stop. I'll tell you.see CHEHR-toh DEH-veh SHEN-deh-reh AHL-lah TEHR-tsah fehr-MAH-tah leh DEE-koh EE-ohGrazie mille. E quanto tempo ci vuole?
Thanks a lot. And how long does it take?GRAH-tsyeh MEEL-leh eh KWAHN-toh TEHM-poh chee VWOH-lehCirca dieci minuti. Stia tranquillo, la avviso io.
About ten minutes. Don't worry, I'll let you know.CHEER-kah DYEH-chee mee-NOO-tee STEE-ah trahn-KWEEL-loh lah ahv-VEE-zoh EE-ohA little context goes a long way
In Italy, it is normal and polite to ask the driver or conductor for help with stops, especially on buses where announcements may be missing or hard to hear. Use 'Lei' (the polite 'you') with strangers. In northern and central cities, drivers are usually helpful but busy; in the south, conversations may be more relaxed. On trains, the conductor ('capotreno') is the right person. Always say 'grazie' when you get off.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Puoi dirmi...' with a driver you don't know, because you learned 'tu' (informal you) first.
Try this instead: With strangers, especially in professional roles, use the polite 'Lei' form: 'Può dirmi...' (Can you tell me...). 'Puoi' is for friends, family, or peers. For example, say 'Può dirmi quando devo scendere?' to a bus driver, not 'Puoi dirmi...'. If the driver is young and the setting is informal, 'Puoi' might be acceptable, but 'Può' is always safe.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you politely ask a bus driver to tell you when to get off?
Show a sample answer
Può dirmi quando devo scendere?
This uses the polite 'Può' (you can) + 'dirmi' (tell me) + 'quando devo scendere' (when I need to get off). It is the standard polite request. You could also say 'Mi avvisa quando devo scendere?' which is equally polite.
2The driver says 'Sì, certo, le dico io.' What does this mean?
Show a sample answer
Yes, of course, I'll tell you.
'Sì, certo' means 'Yes, of course'. 'Le dico io' means 'I'll tell you' (using the polite indirect object 'Le'). The driver is confirming they will let you know. Another common reply is 'La avviso io' (I'll notify you).
3How would you say 'I need to get off at the stop for the station'?
Show a sample answer
Devo scendere alla fermata della stazione.
'Devo scendere' = I need to get off. 'Alla fermata' = at the stop. 'Della stazione' = of the station. You can replace 'della stazione' with any destination: 'alla fermata di Piazza Venezia'. If the stop name is masculine, use 'del': 'del Duomo'.
To ask a driver to tell you when to get off, say 'Può dirmi quando devo scendere?' or 'Mi avvisa quando arriviamo alla mia fermata?' Listen for 'Sì, certo, le dico io' or 'La avviso io' as confirmation. Always use the polite 'Lei' form with strangers, and thank the driver with 'Grazie mille'.
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