Asking for a day off in Italian

1. 1
   ferie/ferie/

   vacation daysnoun

   Days when you don't work but still get paid.
2. 2
   permesso/perˈmesso/

   permitnoun

   Authorization, often written, to do or have something.
3. 3
   capo/ˈkapo/

   bossnoun

   The person who is in charge and makes decisions within a work group.
4. 4

   collegacolleague

5. 5

   chiedereto ask

6. 6

   concedereto grant

7. 7

   settimanaweek

8. 8

   sostituireto replace

9. 9

   disponibileavailable

10. 10

    rientroreturn

The sentences3 of 10

1. Vorrei prendere un giorno di ferie la settimana prossima.

   I'd like to take a day of vacation next week.

2. Mi serve un permesso per il matrimonio di mia sorella.

   I need time off for my sister's wedding.

3. Aspetto che il capo esca dalla riunione.

   I'm waiting for the boss to come out of the meeting.

Pronunciation

• permesso/perˈmesso/

  The double s is held long, and the e of -mes-, where the stress falls, is closed.

Good to know

ferie

In Italy, ferie are paid days off, and you usually agree on them in advance with your boss or the HR office. Ask a good while ahead.

permesso

For a single day or a few hours off, such as a wedding or an appointment, people often ask for a permesso. The name and the rules depend on the contract and the company.

dare del Lei

With your boss, especially if you don't know each other well, people often use Lei, the formal you. If you already use tu with each other, stay with tu.

ponte

When a holiday falls near a weekend, many people ask for a day off to make a ponte, a long weekend. It's best to ask early, because colleagues often do the same.

Questions

What does ferie mean in Italian?

Ferie are days when you don't go to work but still get paid.