Italian Phrase
Sì, puoi depositare contanti allo sportello.
Meaning
This sentence is a polite confirmation that the listener is allowed to deposit cash at the bank’s service window. It emphasizes that the transaction must be done at the counter rather than an ATM or online.
When to use
Use this phrase when a customer asks a bank employee whether cash can be deposited in‑person, or when you are confirming the possibility of a cash deposit at a physical service desk.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sìpuoidepositarecontantiallosportello
Sì (Yes)
An affirmative adverb used to confirm a statement or answer a yes/no question.
puoi (you can)
Second‑person singular present of the modal verb potere, used to express ability or permission.
depositare (to deposit)
An infinitive verb meaning ‘to place something in a safe place’, often used in banking contexts.
contanti (cash)
Plural noun for ‘banknotes and coins’; in Italian cash is usually treated as a plural collective.
allo (a + lo)
Contraction of the preposition a + the masculine singular article lo, meaning ‘at the’ before a word beginning with s + consonant.
sportello (counter, teller window)
Masculine singular noun referring to the service window in a bank, post office, etc.
🗨In Conversation
Posso mettere dei soldi in banca?
Can I put some money in the bank?
Sì, puoi depositare contanti allo sportello.
Yes, you can deposit cash at the counter.
✕Common Mistakes
Sì, può depositare contanti allo sportello.
‘Può’ is third‑person singular; the sentence addresses the listener, so you need the second‑person form ‘puoi’.
Sì, puoi depositare contanti al sportello.
When the article ‘lo’ follows ‘a’, it contracts to ‘allo’; omitting the contraction sounds ungrammatical.
Sì, puoi depositare i contanti allo sportello.
‘Contanti’ already functions as a collective plural; adding the article ‘i’ is unnecessary and sounds redundant in this context.
↔Alternatives
Sì, è possibile depositare contanti allo sportello.
Yes, it is possible to deposit cash at the counter.
Certo, puoi versare i contanti allo sportello.
Sure, you can hand over the cash at the counter.
Sì, puoi fare un deposito di contanti allo sportello.
Yes, you can make a cash deposit at the counter.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, most banks still require cash deposits to be made at the sportello (the teller window). ATMs that accept cash deposits exist but are less common, especially in smaller towns. Using the formal ‘allo sportello’ sounds polite and professional; avoid overly casual phrasing in a banking setting.