Italian Phrase
Alza la mano per parlare.
Meaning
A direct instruction meaning ‘Raise your hand to speak.’ It tells the listener to lift their hand as a signal that they want to say something, usually in a group setting.
When to use
Use this phrase in classrooms, meetings, workshops, or any situation where participants are asked to indicate they want to talk without interrupting the flow.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Alzalamanoperparlare.
Alza (imperative)
Alza is the second‑person singular informal imperative of alzare ‘to raise’. Use it to give a direct command.
la (definite article)
La is the feminine singular definite article that agrees with mano.
mano (noun)
Mano means ‘hand’; it is a feminine noun, so it takes the article la.
per (preposition)
Per introduces purpose or reason, similar to ‘in order to’.
parlare (infinitive)
Parlare is the infinitive ‘to speak’. After per, the infinitive expresses the intended action.
🗨In Conversation
Alza la mano per parlare.
Raise your hand to speak.
Va bene, lo farò.
Okay, I’ll do that.
✕Common Mistakes
Leva la mano per parlare.
Leva means ‘to take away’; the correct verb for raising is alzare.
Alzare la mano per parlare.
Alzare is the infinitive; you need the imperative form Alza (or Alzi).
Alza la mano per parlare?
The phrase is a command, not a question; omit the question mark unless you really mean to ask.
↔Alternatives
Alza la mano se vuoi parlare.
Raise your hand if you want to speak.
Alzi la mano per parlare.
Raise your hand to speak. (formal address)
Sollevi la mano per parlare.
Lift your hand to speak. (more formal)
Cultural Tip
In Italian schools and many professional settings, raising a hand is the polite way to request a turn to talk. The verb alzare is preferred over levare in this context. Remember that Alza is informal; with adults or in formal contexts you would say Alzi la mano.