Italian Phrase
Hai una penna?
Meaning
Literally “Do you have a pen?” It is a polite, informal way to ask someone if they own or can lend a pen. The verb *avere* is used to inquire about possession rather than location.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need a pen in a classroom, office, or casual setting and you want to ask a peer, classmate, or friend. It works both for borrowing a pen and for checking if the person simply owns one.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Haiunapenna?
Second‑person singular present of *avere*
*Hai* is the present indicative form of *avere* for *tu*, used to ask about possession.
Indefinite article *una*
*Una* is the feminine singular indefinite article, used before a feminine noun that begins with a consonant.
Noun gender and number
*Penna* is a feminine singular noun meaning “pen”. The article and adjective must agree in gender and number.
Question intonation
In spoken Italian a rising intonation at the end of the sentence signals a yes/no question; the written question mark is optional in informal speech.
🗨In Conversation
Scusa, hai una penna?
Excuse me, do you have a pen?
Sì, te la presto. Ne vuoi una rossa o una blu?
Yes, I’ll lend you one. Do you want a red one or a blue one?
✕Common Mistakes
Hai un penna?
The article must agree with the feminine noun *penna*; use *una* not *un*.
Hai una penne?
The noun *penna* is singular; *penne* is plural and would need *delle* as the article.
Hai una penna.
A question needs a rising intonation or a question mark; a period makes it sound like a statement.
↔Alternatives
Mi presti una penna?
Can you lend me a pen?
Hai una penna da darmi?
Do you have a pen to give me?
Puoi darmi una penna?
Can you give me a pen?
Cultural Tip
In Italy it is common to ask for a pen with *Hai una penna?* rather than a more formal *Mi può dare una penna?* unless you are speaking to a stranger in a professional setting. Remember to say *Grazie* after receiving the pen, and if you are borrowing, returning it promptly is considered courteous.