Italian Phrase
Il cambio è allo sportello 3.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that the currency‑exchange desk is located at window number three. It is a straightforward locative statement used in public places such as banks, train stations, or airports.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to direct someone to the exchange counter in a building that has numbered service windows – for example, at a bank, a train station ticket office, or an airport currency‑exchange booth.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ilcambioèallosportello3
Definite article (Il)
Il is the masculine singular definite article used before consonant sounds.
Noun (cambio)
Cambiо means ‘exchange’ (as in a currency exchange desk) and is masculine singular.
Verb essere (è)
È is the third‑person singular present of essere, meaning ‘is’.
Preposition + article (allo)
Allo = a (to/at) + lo (masc. singular article). It is used before masculine nouns that start with a consonant cluster like sportello.
Noun (sportello)
Sportello means ‘window’ or ‘counter’ where services are provided.
Number (3)
Numbers are placed after the noun without a preposition; the numeral is read as ‘tre’.
🗨In Conversation
Scusi, dove si trova il cambio?
Excuse me, where is the exchange desk?
Il cambio è allo sportello 3.
The exchange desk is at window 3.
✕Common Mistakes
Il cambio è al sportello 3.
‘Al’ is the contraction of a + il, but the noun sportello requires lo, so the correct form is ‘allo’.
Il cambio è sportello 3.
The verb ‘è’ needs a prepositional phrase to indicate location; you cannot omit ‘allo’.
Il cambio è allo sportello tre.
When a numeral follows a noun, it is usually written as a digit (3) or spoken as ‘tre’; both are fine, but in written Italian the digit is preferred in signage.
↔Alternatives
Il banco del cambio si trova allo sportello 3.
The exchange counter is located at window 3.
Può andare allo sportello 3 per il cambio.
You can go to window 3 for the exchange.
Lo sportello 3 è quello del cambio.
Window 3 is the one for the exchange.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, the word sportello is used for any service window – not just banks but also post offices, train stations and government offices. When you ask for a service, it’s polite to say ‘Scusi’ (excuse me) and to use the formal ‘Lei’ form, especially with staff.