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Italian phrases for asking a neighbour to take in a parcel in Italy

Catch your neighbour in person and say you’re expecting something: “Aspetto un pacco oggi.” Then ask: “Potrebbe ritirare un pacco per me?”. Be ready to spell your surname. When you collect it, say “Grazie per aver tenuto il mio pacco.”

Try it · about two minutes

You’ll be out when a delivery is due, so you ask the neighbour across the landing to take it in.

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. You meet your neighbour on the landing. You’ll be out all day, and a delivery is due this afternoon.

    You

    Posso farle una domanda?

    May I ask you a question?

  2. Neighbour

    Certo, dica pure.

    Of course, go ahead.

    You

    Potrebbe ritirare un pacco per me?

    Could you take in a parcel for me?

  3. Neighbour

    Ritiro volentieri i suoi pacchi quando è fuori.

    I’m happy to take in your parcels whenever you’re out.

    You

    La ringrazio davvero per l'aiuto.

    Thank you very much for your help.

  4. Neighbour

    Come si scrive il suo cognome?

    How do you spell your surname?

    You

    Le dico il mio nome lettera per lettera.

    Let me spell my name for you.

  5. Neighbour

    Questo pacco è suo?

    Is this your parcel?

    You

    Grazie per aver tenuto il mio pacco.

    Thanks for looking after my parcel.

  6. Neighbour

    Nessun problema.

    No problem.

    You

    Un giorno prendiamo un caffè insieme?

    Shall we have a coffee together some time?

Which Italian phrases do you need?

  • Potrebbe ritirare un pacco per me?

    Could you take in a parcel for me?

  • Aspetto un pacco oggi.

    I’m expecting a parcel today.

  • Ritiro volentieri i suoi pacchi quando è fuori.

    I’m happy to take in your parcels whenever you’re out.

  • Questo pacco è suo?

    Is this your parcel?

  • Grazie per aver tenuto il mio pacco.

    Thanks for looking after my parcel.

  • Ha un pacco per me?

    Do you have a parcel for me?

  • Credo che il corriere abbia lasciato un pacco da lei.

    I think the courier left a parcel with you.

  • Scusi il disturbo, il corriere ha lasciato questo alla mia porta.

    Sorry to bother you, but a courier left this at my door.

  • Lo lasci alla mia vicina, per favore.

    Please leave it with my neighbour.

  • Posso farle una domanda?

    May I ask you a question?

What is worth knowing in Italy?

Getting a parcel taken in

  1. 1

    Ask in person, ideally before the delivery day or that morning.

    Could you take in a parcel for me?
  2. 2

    The courier rings, and your neighbour signs for it.

    Please sign here.
  3. 3

    Collect it later and say thank you.

    Thanks for looking after my parcel.

Couriers ask neighbours too

If nobody answers, couriers may ring a neighbour’s bell or leave a notice. It helps to tell your neighbour what to expect.

Il corriere ha lasciato un biglietto sulla porta.

The courier left a note on the door.

Say thanks properly

A warm thank-you and an invitation for coffee is a friendly way to return the favour. Don’t ask for another favour straight away.

Un giorno prendiamo un caffè insieme?

Shall we have a coffee together some time?

Questions about this situation

Which Italian phrases matter most here?
“Potrebbe ritirare un pacco per me?” (Could you take in a parcel for me); “Aspetto un pacco oggi.” (I’m expecting a parcel today); “Ritiro volentieri i suoi pacchi quando è fuori.” (I’m happy to take in your parcels whenever you’re out). 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.

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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.