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Italian phrases for borrowing something from a neighbour in Italy

Knock and apologise first: “Scusi se la disturbo.” Then ask with “potrei”: “Potrei prendere in prestito un trapano per dieci minuti?”, or for something small, “Mi presta un po’ di zucchero?”. Say when it comes back, “Glielo riporto domani”, and thank them again when you return it.

Try it · about two minutes

You’re putting up a shelf and need a drill, so you knock next door to borrow one.

Sound on: the neighbour speaks Italian. You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

  1. Neighbour

    Le serve qualcosa?

    Do you need anything?

    You

    Scusi, mi può aiutare?

    Excuse me, can you help me?

  2. Neighbour

    Certo, dica pure.

    Of course, go ahead.

    You

    Potrei prendere in prestito un trapano per dieci minuti?

    Could I borrow a drill for ten minutes?

  3. Neighbour

    Nessun problema.

    No problem.

    You

    Glielo riporto domani.

    I’ll bring it back tomorrow.

  4. Neighbour

    Un momento, per favore.

    One moment, please.

    You

    La ringrazio davvero per l'aiuto.

    Thank you very much for your help.

  5. The next day you carry the drill back and knock at the same door.

    You

    Grazie di cuore!

    Heartfelt thanks.

  6. Neighbour

    Se ha bisogno di una mano, basta bussare.

    If you ever need a hand, just knock.

    You

    Un giorno prendiamo un caffè insieme?

    Shall we have a coffee together some time?

Which Italian phrases do you need?

  • Scusi se la disturbo.

    Sorry to bother you.

  • Scusi, mi può aiutare?

    Excuse me, can you help me?

  • Posso farle una domanda?

    May I ask you a question?

  • Potrei prendere in prestito un trapano per dieci minuti?

    Could I borrow a drill for ten minutes?

  • Mi presta un po' di zucchero?

    Could I borrow some sugar?

  • Glielo riporto domani.

    I’ll bring it back tomorrow.

  • Mi dà una mano, per favore?

    Can you give me a hand, please?

  • Potrebbe annaffiarmi le piante mentre sono via?

    Could you water my plants while I’m away?

  • Grazie per l'aiuto.

    Thanks for your help.

  • Se ha bisogno di una mano, basta bussare.

    If you ever need a hand, just knock.

What is worth knowing in Italy?

Knocking next door

  1. 1

    Knock, and start with an apology.

    Sorry to bother you.
  2. 2

    Say what you need, and for how long.

    Could I borrow a drill for ten minutes?
  3. 3

    Say when it comes back, and thank them.

    I’ll bring it back tomorrow.

Mi presta, not mi presti

Polite (Lei)

Mi presta un po' di zucchero?

Could I borrow some sugar?

Tu, for friends

Mi presti un po’ di zucchero?

Could you lend me some sugar?

With a neighbour you don’t know well, use Lei: “mi presta”. “Mi presti” is tu, for friends and for people who have suggested it.

A small thank-you

When you give something back, a warm thank-you goes a long way. Many people add a small treat or an invitation for coffee.

Un giorno prendiamo un caffè insieme?

Shall we have a coffee together some time?

Questions about this situation

Which Italian phrases matter most here?
“Scusi se la disturbo.” (Sorry to bother you); “Scusi, mi può aiutare?” (Excuse me, can you help me); “Posso farle una domanda?” (May I ask you a question). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?
Yes: press the speaker next to a phrase to hear it, recorded for the Frasa app.
How can I practise this conversation?
Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Italy. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in Italian

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Practise these phrases in Frasa

Frasa is an iPhone app for the conversations in front of you. Save phrases like these, rehearse them out loud, and they come back until they stick.

AI-generated. May be inaccurate.