In a meeting, you may need to add a point or clarify something while someone else is speaking. This workshop teaches you polite Italian phrases to ask for permission to speak, how to understand the reply, and how to respond when you are given the floor. You will practice with short, realistic exchanges and check your understanding step by step.
Asking for Permission to Speak
When you want to add something in a meeting, you can use a short polite question. The phrase «Posso aggiungere qualcosa?» means 'May I add something?' and is a simple way to ask for the floor. If you want to be a little more formal, you can say «Mi scusi, posso dire una cosa?», which means 'Excuse me, may I say something?' Another option is «Se posso, vorrei fare una precisazione.», meaning 'If I may, I'd like to make a clarification.' These expressions all signal that you want to speak without sounding rude. You can use them when someone is speaking and you have a relevant point to make.
Understanding the Reply and Responding
After you ask for permission, the other person may invite you to speak. For example, «Prego, dica pure.» means 'Please, go ahead.' This is a clear signal that you can now say what you wanted to say. When you have the floor, you can thank the person and then make your point. For instance, «Grazie. Volevo solo precisare che l'aumento è dovuto anche alla nuova campagna marketing.» means 'Thank you. I just wanted to clarify that the increase is also due to the new marketing campaign.' Notice how the speaker first thanks the other person, then explains the clarification. This keeps the exchange polite and clear.
Putting It Together in a Meeting
In a real meeting, you might hear a presentation and then want to add a point. For example, someone might say «Vorrei presentare i risultati del trimestre. Come potete vedere, le vendite sono aumentate del 10%.», which means 'I'd like to present the quarterly results. As you can see, sales increased by 10%.' If you want to add something, you can use «Mi scusi, posso aggiungere qualcosa?», which means 'Excuse me, may I add something?' The presenter might then reply with «Prego, dica pure.», giving you permission. You can then respond with «Grazie. Volevo solo precisare che l'aumento è dovuto anche alla nuova campagna marketing.» to thank them and make your clarification. This sequence shows how to interrupt politely and then contribute.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Posso aggiungere qualcosa?
May I add something?
POHS-soh ad-DJOON-jeh-reh KWAHL-koh-zah
Mi scusi, posso dire una cosa?
Excuse me, may I say something?
mee SKOO-zee, POHS-soh DEE-reh OO-nah KOH-zah
Se posso, vorrei fare una precisazione.
If I may, I'd like to make a clarification.
seh POHS-soh, vor-RAY FAH-reh OO-nah preh-chee-zah-TSYOH-neh
Con il suo permesso, vorrei intervenire.
With your permission, I'd like to interject.
kohn eel SOO-oh per-MEHS-soh, vor-RAY een-ter-veh-NEE-reh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Vorrei presentare i risultati del trimestre. Come potete vedere, le vendite sono aumentate del 10%.
I'd like to present the quarterly results. As you can see, sales increased by 10%.Mi scusi, posso aggiungere qualcosa?
Excuse me, may I add something?Prego, dica pure.
Please, go ahead.Grazie. Volevo solo precisare che l'aumento è dovuto anche alla nuova campagna marketing.
Thank you. I just wanted to clarify that the increase is also due to the new marketing campaign.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Asking and Responding
You are in a meeting. A colleague is presenting results. You want to add a clarification. Practice the exchange with a partner or by playing both roles with audio.
Your task: First, read the presenter's line: «Vorrei presentare i risultati del trimestre. Come potete vedere, le vendite sono aumentate del 10%.». Then, as the colleague, ask for permission to speak using «Mi scusi, posso aggiungere qualcosa?». The presenter replies with «Prego, dica pure.». Finally, as the colleague, respond with «Grazie. Volevo solo precisare che l'aumento è dovuto anche alla nuova campagna marketing.». After practicing, swap roles: the presenter becomes the colleague and vice versa, but keep the same order of lines.
Reply Comprehension: What Does It Mean?
You hear someone say «Prego, dica pure.» after you ask for permission to speak. Choose the correct meaning of this reply.
Your task: Read the reply «Prego, dica pure.». Then choose the best interpretation: A) The person is asking you to repeat your question. B) The person is giving you permission to speak. C) The person is telling you to stop talking. Write your answer, then check the key below.
Recall and Role Swap: Who Says What?
You will recall the lines from the meeting exchange and then swap roles. The chronological order of the exchange stays the same: presentation, request for permission, reply, and clarification.
Your task: Without looking back, write down the line that means 'Excuse me, may I add something?' and the line that means 'Please, go ahead.' Then, with a partner, act out the full exchange: one person presents «Vorrei presentare i risultati del trimestre. Come potete vedere, le vendite sono aumentate del 10%.», the other asks «Mi scusi, posso aggiungere qualcosa?», the first replies «Prego, dica pure.», and the second clarifies «Grazie. Volevo solo precisare che l'aumento è dovuto anche alla nuova campagna marketing.». Afterward, swap roles but keep the same order of lines.
Common questions
Can I use these phrases in any meeting?
These phrases are polite and suitable for many professional and formal situations. They help you ask for permission to speak without interrupting rudely. However, the appropriate level of formality may vary depending on the context and the people you are speaking with.
What if I don't get permission to speak?
If the other person does not invite you to speak, you can wait for a pause and try again, or you can save your point for later. The phrases are requests, not demands, so it is fine if the timing is not right. You can also use a different polite phrase to try again.
Sources and further reading
- italian: interrupting politely in meetingsChecked September 2026
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