https://ita.proz.com/kudoz/italian-to-english/other/115964-permesso.html?paging=y
This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
sede legale
bisabololo
Nov 28, 2001 09:11
23 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Italiano term

permesso?

Non-PRO Da Italiano a Inglese Altro behavior
When you go in someone else's house, what do you say? I mean, in Italian we say "Permesso?", that is, we ask permission to enter.
Proposed translations (Inglese)
4 +7 May I come in?
4 +4 May I come in?
4 +3 May I come in?
4 +1 May I come in?
4 Hello, can I come in?
4 Excuse me, may I enter?
4 Excuse me, may I come in?

Proposed translations

+7
8 min
Selected

May I come in?

Obviously, it depends on the context. Generally, if you ring a friend's doorbell, they'll let just ask you in (without you asking "permesso"). ["Won't you come in, please?" "Yes, thank you." is a sample conversation.] But if you find a door unattended, after shouting "Hello! Anybody home?" you might say "May I come in?"

Does this answer your question?
Peer comment(s):
agree Roomy Naqvy
2 min
agree Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL : ok, maybe I'm a bit more rude than other people... :o)
3 min
agree Chiara Yates
10 min
agree giogi : or simply: May I?
13 min
agree Paul Stevens
3 ore
agree Elena Bellucci
6 ore
agree Barbara Cattaneo
15 ore
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Graded automatically based on peer agreement. KudoZ."
6 min

Hello, can I come in?

Gio
Peer comment(s):
agree Roomy Naqvy
4 min
Apparently, I'm being rude.... :o)
disagree nronzini (X) : è il 'can' che non va bene per questo contesto, per chiedere il permesso si usa 'may'
2 ore
in teoria, ma la maggior parte della gente non è così formale.
disagree Angela Cucco : In the USA we don't have a formal expression that we use when entering a home. Italians always say "Permesso" whether entering a friend's home that of someone with whom they are less acquainted. We may shout "Hello!", but thers is no formal saying.
3 ore
We are trying to offer a solution, here. Saying "you don't say anything" is not very helpful, is it?
agree Derek Smith : Gramma or no gramma, folks always say "can I" in the Midlands unlest they'm posh (which I isn't) ;-)
3 ore
You're just right... I never heard anybody saying "May I" here in the Midlands... only in Belgravia.
Something went wrong...
+4
8 min

May I come in?

This is a literal translation of your term, but in English you would not sayit , if somebody has invited into their homes. You would simply go in, without saying anything; you would perhaps use other forms of small talk, "what a lovely home", or simply say "thank you" when they open the door for you. You only say "may I come in?" it if you ring at someone's door and truly ask to get in.
Questo si applica se intendi "permesso" come una formalita' e non una vera richiesta.

spero di essermi spiegata

ciao

paola l m
Peer comment(s):
agree Roomy Naqvy : Thanks for the explanation.
2 min
agree Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL : yes, you don't just say anything... especially "can" I come in.
4 min
agree giogi : Perfect!
14 min
agree Derek Smith : But what do you say if their home is horrid? :-)
40 min
How original! (or just shake hands--do we shake hands in English when we enter someone's home?) ciao
Something went wrong...
+1
9 min

May I come in?

Yes, permesso is like 'May I come in?'

I understand that first when the room is closed, you knock and ask 'Permesso', then when someone says 'Si', you would ask if you can enter and say 'entrare'.

Best wishes

Roomy Naqvy

P.S. Learning Italian. :)
Peer comment(s):
agree Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL : you say.... "posso entrare"? Or "posso"? Or, "si può", ecc.
5 min
Thanks thanks.. encourages me:)
Something went wrong...
+3
10 min

May I come in?

I agree with previous answer, but "may" is more correct than "can". Obviously one "can"!
Peer comment(s):
agree Roomy Naqvy : :) One can speak Italian. Can I? May I?
2 min
agree Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL : Yes, politeness, politeness, politeness....
3 min
agree Emilia Mancini
41 min
Something went wrong...
1 ora

Excuse me, may I enter?

Permesso means to get permission to enter the house, but it also means to get someone's attention. Seeing it is polite, I would add the Excuse me first.
Reference:

Native speaker and ex-Roman!

Something went wrong...
1 ora

Excuse me, may I come in?

On second thoughts, "May I come?" in is more common than "May I enter?"
Something went wrong...