Italian Phrase
Mi prendi un taxi?
Meaning
A casual, polite request meaning ‘Will you get me a taxi?’ or ‘Can you arrange a taxi for me?’. It implies you are asking the listener to take action on your behalf.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need a taxi and you are speaking to a friend, a colleague, a hotel receptionist, or any informal contact who can help you. In more formal settings you would switch to ‘Mi può chiamare un taxi?’
✦Grammar Breakdown
Miprendiuntaxi?
Mi (indirect object pronoun)
‘Mi’ means ‘to me’ or ‘for me’; it is placed before the verb to indicate who benefits from the action.
prendi (present, 2nd person singular)
‘prendi’ is the present indicative of ‘prendere’ (to take/get) conjugated for ‘tu’. It is used in informal requests.
un (indefinite article)
‘un’ is the masculine singular indefinite article, equivalent to ‘a’ in English.
taxi (noun, masculine)
‘taxi’ is a masculine noun borrowed from English; it does not change in plural (i taxi).
🗨In Conversation
Mi prendi un taxi?
Can you get me a taxi?
Certo, ti chiamo subito un taxi.
Sure, I’ll call a taxi for you right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Mi prende un taxi?
‘prende’ is the third‑person singular form; you need the second‑person ‘prendi’ when addressing ‘tu’.
Mi prendi taxi?
The indefinite article ‘un’ is required before a singular masculine noun.
Mi prendi un taxi, per favore?
While not wrong, adding ‘per favore’ after a question can sound overly formal; it’s more natural to place it at the beginning: ‘Per favore, mi prendi un taxi?’
↔Alternatives
Puoi chiamarmi un taxi?
Can you call me a taxi?
Mi potresti prendere un taxi?
Could you get me a taxi?
Mi fai prendere un taxi?
Will you get me a taxi?
Mi può chiamare un taxi?
Could you call a taxi for me? (formal)
Cultural Tip
In Italy it’s common to ask for a taxi by phone or at a bar, and the verb ‘prendere’ (to take) is often used colloquially for ‘to get’ a taxi. In more formal contexts—especially with strangers or in business settings—use the verb ‘chiamare’ (to call) and the formal ‘Lei’ form: ‘Mi può chiamare un taxi, per favore?’. Also note that in some regions (e.g., Rome) people may say ‘Mi fai prendere un taxi?’ which sounds a bit more relaxed.