Italian Phrase
Mi presti una penna, per favore?
Meaning
A polite way to ask someone to lend you a pen. The use of the subjunctive makes the request sound courteous and slightly formal.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need a pen from a colleague, teacher, or anyone you want to address respectfully. It works well in both formal settings (office, classroom) and semi‑formal social situations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Miprestiunapennaperfavore
Subjunctive for Polite Request
The verb 'prestare' is conjugated in the present subjunctive (presti) to make a courteous request, often used with the formal 'Lei' form.
Indirect Object Pronoun 'Mi'
‘Mi’ functions as an indirect object pronoun meaning ‘to me’, placed before the verb.
Polite Phrase 'per favore'
‘Per favore’ (please) is typically placed at the end of the request in Italian.
🗨In Conversation
Mi presti una penna, per favore?
Could you lend me a pen, please?
Certo, eccola.
Sure, here it is.
✕Common Mistakes
Mi presta una penna, per favore?
‘Presta’ is the third‑person singular present indicative; the correct polite form is the subjunctive ‘presti’.
Mi presti una penna per favore?
Missing the comma and the polite verb form makes the sentence sound abrupt.
Mi presti penna, per favore?
The article ‘una’ is required before a singular countable noun.
↔Alternatives
Mi può prestare una penna, per favore?
Could you lend me a pen, please?
Potresti prestarmi una penna?
Could you lend me a pen?
Mi dai una penna?
Can you give me a pen?
Cultural Tip
In Italian, using the subjunctive (presti) signals respect, especially when speaking to someone you don’t know well or to a superior. If you’re speaking to a close friend, you can switch to the informal ‘tu’ form and say ‘Mi presti una penna?’ or even ‘Mi dai una penna?’ without losing politeness, but adding ‘per favore’ always keeps the request courteous.