Italian Phrase
Quanto vuoi prelevare?
Meaning
This question asks the listener how much money they would like to withdraw, typically at an ATM, bank teller, or in a financial transaction.
When to use
Use it when you are helping someone at a cash machine, at a bank counter, or when discussing cash needs in everyday conversation. It’s a polite, neutral way to inquire about the desired amount.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quantovuoiprelevare?
Quanto (interrogative adverb)
Used to ask about quantity or amount; it agrees in gender and number with the noun it refers to, but here it stands alone.
Vuoi (volere, present 2nd person singular)
The verb volere expresses desire; in questions it often appears before the infinitive.
Prelevare (infinitive)
An infinitive verb meaning “to withdraw” (money, usually from a bank or ATM). After volere, the infinitive stays unchanged.
🗨In Conversation
Quanto vuoi prelevare?
How much would you like to withdraw?
Vorrei prelevare cento euro, per favore.
I’d like to withdraw one hundred euros, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Che vuoi prelevare?
“Che” is a relative pronoun, not an interrogative for amount; use “Quanto”.
Vuoi prelevare quanto?
While understandable, the natural order in Italian places “quanto” before the verb phrase.
Prelevare vuoi quanto?
Inverting the infinitive and verb creates an ungrammatical sentence.
↔Alternatives
Che somma vuoi prelevare?
What amount would you like to withdraw?
Quanti soldi vuoi prelevare?
How much money do you want to withdraw?
Di quanti euro hai bisogno?
How many euros do you need?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, ATMs often have daily withdrawal limits (usually €300‑€500). It’s common to ask the amount politely, using the informal “vuoi” with friends or family, but switch to the formal “vuole” (Quanto vuole prelevare?) in a bank or with strangers. Also, many Italians prefer to specify the exact amount rather than a range.