Italian for the Tailor: Explaining a Lining Caught in a Seam
Learn elementary Italian to tell a tailor that your fodera is impigliata in una cucitura, say where it hurts, and ask for a repair using scucire and ricucire.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When a jacket or coat lining gets caught in a seam, you need to explain the problem clearly and politely. In Italian, the key noun is la fodera (the lining), and the key phrase is è impigliata in una cucitura (it is caught in a seam). You will also need to point to the place: sotto l'ascella (under the armpit) or sul fianco (on the side). This lesson gives you short, reusable sentences to describe the discomfort and to ask a tailor to unpick and resew the seam. The register is descriptive and slightly apologetic, because you are asking for help with a garment you already own.
By the end, you can…
- say that the lining is caught in a seam using è impigliata in una cucitura.
- describe where the problem is with sotto l'ascella and sul fianco.
- ask a tailor to unpick and resew the seam using scucire and ricucire.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
La fodera è impigliata in una cucitura.
The lining is caught in a seam.
lah FOH-deh-rah eh eem-pee-LYAH-tah een OO-nah koo-chee-TOO-rah
Use this as your main description when you first show the garment to the tailor.
Mi dà fastidio sotto l'ascella.
It bothers me under the armpit.
mee dah fah-STEE-dyoh SOH-toh lah-SHEL-lah
Use this to explain the discomfort and to point to the location. You can replace sotto l'ascella with sul fianco.
Si può scucire e ricucire questa cucitura?
Can you unpick and resew this seam?
see pwoh skoo-CHEE-reh eh ree-koo-CHEE-reh KWEH-stah koo-chee-TOO-rah
A polite request using si può. It asks about the action, not about price or timing.
La fodera si è infilata nella cucitura sul fianco.
The lining has slipped into the seam on the side.
lah FOH-deh-rah see eh een-fee-LAH-tah NEL-lah koo-chee-TOO-rah sool FYAHN-koh
Use this when the lining has moved into the seam rather than being tightly caught.
Scusi, può dare un'occhiata a questa fodera?
Excuse me, can you take a look at this lining?
SKOO-zee pwoh DAH-reh oon-oh-KYAH-tah ah KWEH-stah FOH-deh-rah
A slightly apologetic opening when you approach the tailor and want them to inspect the garment.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is la fodera è impigliata in una cucitura. Here è is the verb essere, and impigliata is an adjective that agrees with the feminine noun fodera. If you are talking about a different part, you can say il rivestimento è impigliato, using the masculine form. To describe where, add a prepositional phrase: sotto l'ascella, sul fianco, sulla manica. For example: La fodera è impigliata in una cucitura sotto l'ascella. This keeps the sentence short and easy to understand in a shop.
When to use it
Use these sentences when you are already at the merceria or the tailor's and you can show the garment. Start with Scusi, può dare un'occhiata a questa fodera? Then point and say La fodera è impigliata in una cucitura. If the tailor asks where, answer with Mi dà fastidio sotto l'ascella or sul fianco. To request the repair, say Si può scucire e ricucire questa cucitura? This is a question about the action, so it does not promise a price or a deadline. If you need to be more specific, add qui (here) while pointing.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, può dare un'occhiata a questa fodera?
Excuse me, can you take a look at this lining?SKOO-zee pwoh DAH-reh oon-oh-KYAH-tah ah KWEH-stah FOH-deh-rahCerto, mi faccia vedere. Dov'è il problema?
Of course, let me see. Where is the problem?CHER-toh mee FAH-chah veh-DEH-reh doh-VEH eel proh-BLEH-mahLa fodera è impigliata in una cucitura sotto l'ascella. Mi dà fastidio.
The lining is caught in a seam under the armpit. It bothers me.lah FOH-deh-rah eh eem-pee-LYAH-tah een OO-nah koo-chee-TOO-rah SOH-toh lah-SHEL-lah mee dah fah-STEE-dyohCapisco. Si può scucire e ricucire questa cucitura.
I understand. This seam can be unpicked and resewn.kah-PEES-koh see pwoh skoo-CHEE-reh eh ree-koo-CHEE-reh KWEH-stah koo-chee-TOO-rahA little context goes a long way
In Italy, a merceria sells sewing supplies such as thread, buttons and zips, while a sarto or tailor does repairs and alterations. Small neighbourhood shops often handle both. Use scusi and the polite si può to keep the tone respectful. Prices, waiting times and whether a repair is possible vary by shop, so ask rather than assume. In some regions, especially the south, you may hear aggiustare for a repair; in standard Italian, riparare and ricucire are also common.
One thing to watch for
Saying La fodera è impigliata in una cucitura sotto l'ascella with the wrong adjective ending, for example impigliato.
Try this instead: Because fodera is feminine, the adjective must be impigliata: La fodera è impigliata in una cucitura. If you refer to il rivestimento, use the masculine impigliato: Il rivestimento è impigliato in una cucitura.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say that the lining is caught in a seam?
Show a sample answer
La fodera è impigliata in una cucitura.
This uses the feminine noun fodera with the feminine adjective impigliata. You could also say La fodera si è impigliata in una cucitura, which is equally correct.
2You want to ask the tailor to unpick and resew the seam. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Si può scucire e ricucire questa cucitura?
Si può makes the request polite and impersonal. You could also say Può scucire e ricucire questa cucitura? Both are valid; the first is slightly softer.
3The problem is on your side, not under your arm. How do you describe the location?
Show a sample answer
Mi dà fastidio sul fianco.
Sul fianco means on the side. You can combine it with the main description: La fodera è impigliata in una cucitura sul fianco. Mi dà fastidio sul fianco.
Show the garment, say La fodera è impigliata in una cucitura, add the place with sotto l'ascella or sul fianco, and ask Si può scucire e ricucire questa cucitura? Keep the tone polite and let the tailor inspect the item.
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