How to Say "Get Out of the Way" in Italian: Polite and Direct Ways to Ask Someone to Move
Learn to ask someone to move in Italian, from blunt imperatives like Spostati! to polite requests like Scusi, posso passare? Master register and avoid common mistakes.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In Italian, asking someone to get out of the way depends heavily on context and tone. The most direct way is the imperative spostati! (move yourself), but this can sound rude if used with strangers. For polite situations, use scusi (excuse me) plus a request like posso passare? (may I pass?). This lesson teaches you the key phrases, when to use them, and how to avoid sounding aggressive. You'll also learn the difference between spostati (informal singular), spostatevi (plural), and the formal si sposti. By the end, you'll be able to navigate crowded spaces politely and effectively.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone to move out of the way using both informal and polite Italian.
- distinguish between rude and polite registers when requesting space.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Spostati!
Move (yourself)!
SPOH-stah-tee
Informal singular imperative, used with friends, family, or people you address with tu. Can sound abrupt or rude if used with strangers.
Scusi, posso passare?
Excuse me, may I pass?
SKOO-zee, POHS-soh pahs-SAH-reh
Polite and safe with strangers. Scusi is the formal you (Lei) form. Use in shops, on trains, or any public space.
Permesso?
May I? / Excuse me (coming through)
pehr-MEHS-soh
A single word that asks for permission to pass or enter. Very common when squeezing through a crowd. Neutral politeness.
Si sposti, per favore.
Move (yourself), please. (formal)
see SPOH-stee, pehr fah-VOH-reh
Formal imperative with Lei. Use with older people, officials, or anyone you'd address formally. Softer with per favore.
Spostatevi!
Move (yourselves)! (plural)
spoh-STAH-teh-vee
Plural imperative, used with a group of people you address informally (voi). Still direct; add per favore to soften.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core verb is spostarsi (to move oneself). Its imperative forms change with register: informal singular spostati, informal plural spostatevi, formal singular si sposti. For polite requests, combine scusi or permesso with posso passare? (may I pass?) or posso? (may I?). For example: Scusi, posso passare? is safe anywhere. Permesso? works when you just need to slip by. Avoid spostati with strangers; it can sound like a command.
When to use it
Use spostati only with people you know well or in urgent situations where you might add scusa (informal excuse me). For strangers, always use scusi or permesso. In formal contexts (e.g., speaking to an older person or a clerk), use si sposti or mi scusi, posso passare? If you're addressing a group informally, spostatevi works, but for a group of strangers, use scusate, posso passare? (plural you). Remember that tone matters: a polite phrase with a harsh tone can still offend.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, posso passare?
Excuse me, may I pass?SKOO-zee, POHS-soh pahs-SAH-rehCerto, prego.
Of course, go ahead.CHEHR-toh, PREH-gohGrazie mille.
Thanks a lot.GRAH-tsee-eh MEEL-lehDi niente.
You're welcome.dee NEE-ehn-tehA little context goes a long way
In Italy, politeness often relies on tone and context more than on specific words. A simple permesso? with a smile can be perfectly polite. Conversely, spostati! without a softening scusa can sound aggressive. When in doubt, use scusi or permesso. In southern regions, you might hear permesso? more frequently, but it's understood everywhere.
One thing to watch for
Using spostati! with a stranger, which can sound rude.
Try this instead: Use scusi, posso passare? or permesso? instead. For example, say Scusi, posso passare? to a person blocking the aisle.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask a stranger to let you pass in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Scusi, posso passare?
This uses the formal scusi and the polite request posso passare? It's safe and respectful. You could also say Permesso? in a neutral tone.
2What is the informal singular imperative of spostarsi?
Show a sample answer
Spostati
Spostati is the tu form. It's used with friends or family. For formal, use si sposti; for plural informal, spostatevi.
3How would you tell a group of friends to move out of the way?
Show a sample answer
Spostatevi!
Spostatevi is the voi imperative, used with a group you address informally. You could add per favore to soften it.
Use spostati only with people you know; for strangers, scusi, posso passare? or permesso? are polite and effective. Match the register to the situation.
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