Car Rental & Driving

1. Vurrìa nuliggiari na màchina pi X jorna

   I'd like to rent a car for X days.

   Usage

   At the rental desk, to state the number of days. Put the number in place of X

   Grammar Note

   The plural of jornu (day) is jorna. Màchina is stressed on the third syllable from the end, so the accent mark is written. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Chi è cumprisu nta u prezzu di l'affittu?

   What is included in the rental price?

   Usage

   Before signing, to check what the price covers, such as insurance or an extra driver

   Grammar Note

   Nta means "in". Di l'affittu is "of the rental"; affittu is the general word for hiring or renting. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Quali assicurazioni ci sunnu?

   What are the insurance options?

   Usage

   Asks which kinds of insurance can be added to the rental

   Grammar Note

   "There is" is c'è in the singular and ci sunnu in the plural. Literally "which insurances are there". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Haiu a turnari a màchina china di binzina?

   Should I return it with a full tank?

   Usage

   Checks whether the car must come back with a full tank

   Grammar Note

   "Have to" is aviri a plus the infinitive. China is the feminine of chinu (full), agreeing with màchina. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. C'è nu limiti di chilòmetri?

   Is there a mileage limit?

   Usage

   Before a long drive, to check whether the rental caps the distance

   Grammar Note

   Chilòmetri is stressed on the third syllable from the end, so the accent mark is written. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Vurrìa signalari nu dannu

   I'd like to report some damage.

   Usage

   To report a dent or scratch on the car when picking it up or returning it

   Grammar Note

   A word for a scratch alone could not be confirmed, so the broad dannu (damage) is used. It is wise to photograph the car before you leave. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Unni è a pompa di binzina cchiù vicina?

   Where is the nearest gas station?

   Usage

   Finds a petrol station to refuel before returning the car

   Grammar Note

   Pompa di binzina is the petrol pump, meaning the filling station; if it is not understood, say "binzina" and gesture. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. A pulizzìa mi firmau: chi haiu a fari?

   I've been stopped by traffic police — what should I do?

   Usage

   Asks the rental company or bystanders for help after a police stop

   Grammar Note

   The subject comes first and the object pronoun mi goes before the verb. The 3rd person singular simple past ends in -au. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. Ci sunnu pedaggi supra sta strata?

   Are there toll roads on this route?

   Usage

   Checks for motorway tolls when planning a drive

   Grammar Note

   The plural of pedaggiu is pedaggi. Supra means "on / over"; strata is "road", so sta strata is "this road". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. A màchina nun s'avvia

    The car won't start.

    Usage

    Tells the rental company's breakdown service that the engine will not start

    Grammar Note

    The reflexive of avviari (to set going) gives "starts up", and nun goes right before the verb. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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