Italian for Secondhand Markets: Asking About a Missing Chess Piece
Learn polite Italian phrases to check if a used chess set is complete and to describe a missing piece. Useful at markets and in small shops.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you buy a secondhand chess set at an Italian market, you often need to check that all the pieces are there. This lesson teaches you how to ask if the set is complete and how to describe a missing piece politely. You will learn the key words scacchi (chess), pezzo (piece), completo (complete), and mancante (missing). You will also practice asking staff to help you find a replacement. The phrases are in polite register, suitable for markets and small shops. By the end, you will be able to handle this common situation with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- ask if a secondhand chess set is complete.
- describe which chess piece is missing.
- ask politely if a replacement piece is available.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Scusi, questo set di scacchi è completo?
Excuse me, is this chess set complete?
SKOO-zee, KWEH-stoh set dee SKAHK-kee eh kohm-PLEH-toh
Use at a market stall or small shop to ask if all pieces are present. Polite form with Scusi.
Manca un pezzo. È un cavallo bianco.
A piece is missing. It's a white knight.
MAHN-kah oon PEH-tsoh. Eh oon kah-VAHL-loh BYAHN-koh
Say this when you have found the set incomplete and want to specify which piece is missing. Replace cavallo with the missing piece name.
Posso sostituire il pezzo mancante?
Can I replace the missing piece?
POHS-soh soh-stee-TWEE-reh eel PEH-tsoh mahn-KAHN-teh
Ask if it's possible to get a replacement for the missing piece. Use in shops that might have spare parts.
Avete un pezzo di ricambio?
Do you have a spare piece?
ah-VEH-teh oon PEH-tsoh dee ree-KAHM-byoh
Ask if they have a spare piece available. Use Avete (you plural) when addressing shop staff.
Grazie, vorrei solo controllare che ci siano tutti i pezzi.
Thank you, I would just like to check that all the pieces are there.
GRAH-tsee-eh, vohr-RAY SOH-loh kohn-trohl-LAH-reh keh chee SYAH-noh TOOT-tee ee PEH-tsee
A polite way to explain why you are examining the set before buying.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask if something is complete, use 'È completo?' (Is it complete?). For a set, you can say 'Il set è completo?' or 'Questo set è completo?' (Is this set complete?). To say a piece is missing, use 'Manca un pezzo' (A piece is missing). If you know which piece, add it: 'Manca un cavallo' (A knight is missing). To ask about replacing it, use 'Posso sostituire...?' (Can I replace...?) or 'Avete un pezzo di ricambio?' (Do you have a spare piece?). These patterns work in many secondhand shopping situations.
When to use it
Use these phrases at markets or in small shops when you are considering buying a used chess set. Start with a polite 'Scusi' to get attention. If you find the set incomplete, point to the missing piece and say 'Manca questo pezzo' (This piece is missing). If you want a replacement, ask 'Posso sostituire il pezzo mancante?' or 'Avete un pezzo di ricambio?'. In markets, vendors may not have replacements, but they might know where to find one. Always keep a polite tone.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buongiorno, mi interessa questo set di scacchi. È completo?
Good morning, I'm interested in this chess set. Is it complete?bwohn-JOHR-noh, mee een-teh-REHS-sah KWEH-stoh set dee SKAHK-kee. Eh kohm-PLEH-toh?Buongiorno. Sì, dovrebbe essere completo, ma può controllare.
Good morning. Yes, it should be complete, but you can check.bwohn-JOHR-noh. See, doh-VREHB-beh EHS-seh-reh kohm-PLEH-toh, mah pwoh kohn-trohl-LAH-reh.Grazie. Ho controllato: manca un cavallo bianco. Posso sostituirlo?
Thank you. I checked: a white knight is missing. Can I replace it?GRAH-tsee-eh. oh kohn-trohl-LAH-toh: MAHN-kah oon kah-VAHL-loh BYAHN-koh. POHS-soh soh-stee-TWEER-loh?Mi dispiace, non ho pezzi di ricambio. Ma posso abbassare il prezzo.
I'm sorry, I don't have spare pieces. But I can lower the price.mee dee-SPYAH-cheh, nohn oh PEH-tsee dee ree-KAHM-byoh. mah POHS-soh ahb-bahs-SAH-reh eel PREH-tsoh.A little context goes a long way
In Italian markets, bargaining is common, but always be polite. Using 'Scusi' and 'per favore' shows respect. Vendors may not have replacements for missing pieces, so asking for a discount is a practical alternative. In shops, staff might be more able to help with replacements. The polite 'lei' form is standard with strangers.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'È mancante un pezzo' instead of 'Manca un pezzo'.
Try this instead: The verb 'mancare' is used differently: 'Manca un pezzo' (A piece is missing) is the natural way. 'È mancante' is not used in this context. Use 'Manca' + singular noun, or 'Mancano' + plural noun: 'Mancano due pedine' (Two pawns are missing).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask if a chess set is complete?
Show a sample answer
È completo? or Questo set è completo?
Both are correct. 'È completo?' is a general question; 'Questo set è completo?' specifies the set. You can also say 'Il set è completo?'.
2How do you say 'A white knight is missing'?
Show a sample answer
Manca un cavallo bianco.
Use 'Manca' for singular. The adjective 'bianco' agrees with 'cavallo' (masculine singular). If the piece were feminine, e.g., 'una torre', you would say 'Manca una torre bianca'.
3How do you ask if they have a spare piece?
Show a sample answer
Avete un pezzo di ricambio?
This is polite and uses the plural 'avete' when addressing staff. In a very formal shop, you might use 'Ha un pezzo di ricambio?' with the singular polite form.
Use 'È completo?' to check a set, 'Manca...' to point out a missing piece, and 'Posso sostituire...?' or 'Avete un pezzo di ricambio?' to ask for a replacement. Always keep a polite tone with 'Scusi' and 'Grazie'.
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