In this workshop you will practice three short ways to get someone's attention in Italian and then use them in a simple exchange. You will hear each recorded line, learn what it means in English, and try it in realistic situations. The recordings give you the exact words to copy, so listen carefully and repeat aloud. You can replay the recorded dialogue and alternate roles yourself, but there is no automatic scoring, so check your own answers with the keys provided.
Choosing the right opener
The recordings show several ways to begin. «Scusi.» is a polite, formal way to address one person you do not know well, such as a staff member or a stranger. «Scusa.» is the informal version, used with people you address as tu, like friends or classmates. «Permesso?» is a short request to enter or pass; wait for a reply or a gesture before you move. «Senta, ...» is a formal opener that normally leads into what you want to say. Notice that «Senta, ...» ends with a comma, so it is not a complete request by itself. For a full polite question, the dialogue uses «Scusi, posso chiederle un'informazione?».
A short exchange: asking for information
The dialogue recordings show a polite request and a helpful reply. The first speaker begins with «Scusi, posso chiederle un'informazione?», which means 'Excuse me, may I ask you for some information?' The other person answers with «Certo, mi dica.», meaning 'Of course, tell me.' The first speaker thanks the other person and asks «Grazie. Dov'è la fermata dell'autobus?», 'Thank you. Where is the bus stop?' The reply is «È proprio lì, davanti al bar.», 'It is right there, in front of the café.' In «È proprio lì, davanti al bar.», «lì» points to a location, so listen for a place answer rather than a turn instruction.
Polite listening and responding
When you use «Scusi.» or «Senta, ...», you are signaling that you need a moment of someone's attention. After you speak, pause and listen. If the person says «Certo, mi dica.», they are ready to help. Then you can ask your question, as in «Grazie. Dov'è la fermata dell'autobus?». If you are the one answering, you can use «Certo, mi dica.» to invite the other person to continue. Remember that «Permesso?» is different: it asks for permission to pass or enter, so use it when you need to move, not when you want information. Practicing these short lines will help you sound polite and clear in everyday public situations.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Scusi.
Excuse me. (formal)
SKOO-zee
Scusa.
Excuse me. (informal)
SKOO-zah
Permesso?
May I? / Excuse me, may I pass?
per-MES-soh
Senta, ...
Excuse me, listen, ... (formal)
SEN-tah
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Scusi, posso chiederle un'informazione?
Excuse me, may I ask you for some information?Certo, mi dica.
Of course, tell me.Grazie. Dov'è la fermata dell'autobus?
Thank you. Where is the bus stop?È proprio lì, davanti al bar.
It is right there, in front of the café.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask for information
Imagine you are in a public place and need to ask a stranger for information. You will play the first speaker. Use the recorded lines to guide you.
Your task: Listen to «Scusi, posso chiederle un'informazione?» and repeat it aloud. Then imagine the other person replies with «Certo, mi dica.». After that, say «Grazie. Dov'è la fermata dell'autobus?» to ask your question. Finally, listen to «È proprio lì, davanti al bar.» as the answer. Practice the whole exchange twice, once slowly and once at a natural speed.
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
You will hear a short line and choose the best reply from the recordings. This checks whether you understand the role of each phrase.
Your task: Imagine someone says «Scusi.» to you. Which recorded reply invites them to continue? Choose between «Certo, mi dica.» and «È proprio lì, davanti al bar.». Then imagine someone says «Permesso?» because they want to pass. Should you make space, or should you answer with «Certo, mi dica.»? Say your choice aloud, then check the key below.
Recall and role-play: switch roles
Now you will recall the dialogue from memory and play both roles. This helps you internalize the polite exchange.
Your task: Without looking at the recordings, say the first speaker's lines from memory: the opener, the thank-you, and the question. Then say the other person's lines: the invitation to continue and the answer. If you forget a line, replay the recording and try again. Then replay the same recorded dialogue and alternate roles yourself, saying the other person's lines aloud.
Common questions
When should I use scusi instead of scusa?
Use «Scusi.» when you are addressing one person formally, such as a stranger or a staff member. Use «Scusa.» with people you address as tu, like friends or classmates. If you are unsure, «Scusi.» is a safe polite choice.
What is the difference between permesso and the other openers?
«Permesso?» is specifically for asking permission to pass or enter. It is not a general attention-getter for asking questions. For a polite information request, use «Scusi, posso chiederle un'informazione?» instead.
Sources and further reading
- italian: excuse me getting attentionChecked September 2026
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