How to Say Still or Sparkling Water in Italian: Ordering at a Shop or Kiosk
Learn to ask for still or sparkling water in Italian with the key words naturale and frizzante, plus polite phrases for buying a bottle at a shop or kiosk.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
If you want to buy a bottle of water in Italy, the essential choice is between still and sparkling. The direct answer is: still water is acqua naturale, and sparkling water is acqua frizzante. This lesson teaches you to say 'A bottle of water, please' and to ask for the type you want, using simple, polite Italian that works in bars, shops and kiosks. You will also learn how to ask for a specific size and how to check the price without assuming anything. The focus is on real, usable language for a quick purchase, not on memorizing long lists of vocabulary. By the end, you will be able to walk into a shop and confidently ask for the water you prefer.
By the end, you can…
- ask for a bottle of still or sparkling water in Italian.
- understand and respond to a simple question about water type or size.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Una bottiglia d'acqua, per favore.
A bottle of water, please.
OO-nah bot-TEE-lyah DAH-kwah, pehr fah-VOH-reh
Use this as a polite default when you just need any bottle of water. It works in a shop, bar or kiosk.
Acqua naturale, per favore.
Still water, please.
AH-kwah nah-too-RAH-leh, pehr fah-VOH-reh
Naturale means still, not sparkling. Use it when you do not want bubbles.
Acqua frizzante, per favore.
Sparkling water, please.
AH-kwah freet-TSAHN-teh, pehr fah-VOH-reh
Frizzante means sparkling or slightly fizzy. In most everyday contexts it refers to carbonated water.
Avete acqua naturale?
Do you have still water?
ah-VEH-teh AH-kwah nah-too-RAH-leh
A simple yes/no question to check availability. Use it before ordering if you are unsure.
Quanto costa una bottiglia d'acqua?
How much does a bottle of water cost?
KWAHN-toh KOH-stah OO-nah bot-TEE-lyah DAH-kwah
Ask this to find out the price. It is neutral and polite.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Una bottiglia d'acqua, per favore' plus the type. You can replace the type with 'naturale' or 'frizzante'. For example: 'Una bottiglia d'acqua naturale, per favore' or 'Una bottiglia d'acqua frizzante, per favore.' If you want a smaller or larger size, you can add 'piccola' (small) or 'grande' (large) after 'bottiglia': 'Una bottiglia piccola d'acqua, per favore.' Note that 'd'acqua' is a contraction of 'di acqua' and is standard. The phrase 'per favore' makes the request polite; you can also say 'per piacere' in many regions, though 'per favore' is more common in shops.
When to use it
Use 'naturale' when you want water without bubbles, and 'frizzante' when you want sparkling water. In a bar or restaurant, staff may ask 'Naturale o frizzante?' You can answer simply 'Naturale' or 'Frizzante.' At a shop or kiosk, you usually initiate the request. If you are unsure whether they have a specific type, ask 'Avete acqua frizzante?' before ordering. If you want to know the price, ask 'Quanto costa?' It is fine to ask for a bottle without specifying the brand; you can say 'Una bottiglia d'acqua, per favore' and the staff will offer what they have. Do not assume a particular brand is available; just ask for the type.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buongiorno, avete acqua frizzante?
Good morning, do you have sparkling water?bwohn-JOHR-noh, ah-VEH-teh AH-kwah freet-TSAHN-tehSì, abbiamo acqua naturale e frizzante. Quale preferisce?
Yes, we have still and sparkling water. Which do you prefer?see, ahb-BYAH-moh AH-kwah nah-too-RAH-leh eh freet-TSAHN-teh. KWAH-leh preh-feh-REE-shehUna bottiglia d'acqua frizzante, per favore. Quanto costa?
A bottle of sparkling water, please. How much does it cost?OO-nah bot-TEE-lyah DAH-kwah freet-TSAHN-teh, pehr fah-VOH-reh. KWAHN-toh KOH-stahUn euro. Ecco a lei.
One euro. Here you are.oon EH-oo-roh. EHK-koh ah LEH-eeA little context goes a long way
In Italy, asking for 'acqua' without specifying type may get you a follow-up question: 'Naturale o frizzante?' It is normal to specify. In some regions, especially in the south, 'frizzante' can mean lightly sparkling, while 'gassata' is also used for carbonated water, but 'frizzante' is widely understood. At a bar, you might be served a glass bottle; at a kiosk, often plastic. Tipping is not expected for a simple water purchase, but rounding up is appreciated. The polite form 'lei' is used with strangers; with peers, 'tu' is fine, but in shops 'lei' is safer.
One thing to watch for
Using 'gassata' when you mean still water, or assuming 'naturale' means natural spring water only.
Try this instead: 'Naturale' means still (no bubbles), not necessarily 'natural' in the English sense. 'Frizzante' means sparkling. If you want still water, say 'acqua naturale'. For example: 'Vorrei una bottiglia d'acqua naturale, per favore.' If you say 'gassata', you are asking for carbonated water, which is similar to 'frizzante' but less common in everyday speech.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask for a bottle of still water, please?
Show a sample answer
Una bottiglia d'acqua naturale, per favore.
This uses the polite request 'per favore' and specifies 'naturale' for still water. You could also say 'Vorrei una bottiglia d'acqua naturale' to be slightly more formal.
2What does 'frizzante' mean when ordering water?
Show a sample answer
Sparkling or fizzy water.
'Frizzante' describes water with bubbles. In most contexts, it is the standard term for sparkling water. 'Gassata' is also used but less common in everyday ordering.
3How would you ask if they have sparkling water?
Show a sample answer
Avete acqua frizzante?
This is a simple yes/no question. You can also ask 'C'è acqua frizzante?' which is equally correct. Both are polite and widely understood.
Remember: still is 'naturale', sparkling is 'frizzante'. Start with 'Una bottiglia d'acqua, per favore' and add the type. Ask 'Avete...?' to check availability and 'Quanto costa?' for the price. Keep it simple and polite.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Italian into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr