Italian Phrase
Per favore, alza le braccia per lo scanner.
Meaning
A courteous instruction asking someone to lift their arms so that a body scanner can get an unobstructed view. It’s commonly heard at security checkpoints, medical imaging rooms, or any place where a full‑body scan is required.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are a security officer, medical technician, or any staff member operating a scanner and need the person being scanned to raise their arms. It works in airports, train stations, hospitals, and event venues.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Perfavore,alzalebracciaperloscanner.
Per favore
A polite request phrase equivalent to 'please', placed at the beginning of a sentence.
Imperative (tu) – alza
The verb 'alzare' in the second‑person singular imperative, used for direct commands or requests.
Definite article with plural feminine – le braccia
‘Le’ is the plural feminine definite article that matches ‘braccia’ (arms).
Preposition + article – per lo scanner
‘Per’ (for) + masculine singular article ‘lo’ is required because ‘scanner’ starts with s + consonant.
🗨In Conversation
Per favore, alza le braccia per lo scanner.
Please raise your arms for the scanner.
Certo, ecco fatto.
Sure, here you go.
✕Common Mistakes
Per favore, alzi le braccia per lo scanner.
‘Alzi’ is the subjunctive form; the correct imperative for a direct request is ‘alza’.
Per favore, alza le braccia per il scanner.
Because ‘scanner’ starts with s + consonant, the correct article is ‘lo’, not ‘il’.
Per favore, alza le braccia per la scanner.
The preposition ‘per’ already includes the article; you should not add another article before ‘scanner’.
↔Alternatives
Per cortesia, solleva le braccia per il controllo.
Please lift your arms for the check.
Mi può alzare le braccia per il scanner, per favore?
Could you raise your arms for the scanner, please?
Alzi le braccia, per favore, per lo scanner.
Raise your arms, please, for the scanner.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, adding ‘per favore’ or ‘per cortesia’ softens commands and shows respect, especially in formal or public settings. While the imperative ‘alza’ is direct, it is perfectly acceptable when spoken by staff in a professional tone. Remember that ‘scanner’ takes the article ‘lo’ because it begins with an s‑plus‑consonant, a detail often missed by learners.