Italian Phrase
Quanto costa il francobollo per questa lettera internazionale?
Meaning
This phrase is used to inquire about the price of a postage stamp needed for sending a letter abroad. It's a direct and polite way to ask for pricing information at a post office or similar service point. The structure is common for asking 'how much does X cost?'.
When to use
You would typically use this phrase when you are at a post office (ufficio postale) in Italy and need to send a letter to another country. It's appropriate for asking a postal worker or clerk about the correct postage. It can also be adapted for other items you might want to send internationally.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quantocostailfrancobolloperquestaletterainternazionale
Quanto
'Quanto' means 'how much' or 'how many'. It's used to ask about quantity or price. It can change form (quanta, quanti, quante) depending on the gender and number of the noun it refers to, but for 'how much does it cost', 'quanto' is standard.
Costa (Costare)
'Costa' is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb 'costare' (to cost). It's the correct verb to use when asking about the price of an item or service. For plural items, you would use 'costano'.
Il francobollo
'Il' is the masculine singular definite article ('the'). 'Francobollo' means 'stamp' and is a masculine noun. Knowing the gender of nouns is crucial for using the correct articles and adjectives in Italian.
Per
'Per' is a versatile preposition meaning 'for', 'to', 'in order to', or 'through'. In this context, it means 'for' or 'for the purpose of'.
Questa
'Questa' means 'this' and is the feminine singular demonstrative adjective. It agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies, 'lettera' (letter), which is feminine.
Internazionale
'Internazionale' means 'international'. It's an adjective that describes the type of letter. Adjectives in Italian typically follow the noun they modify and agree in gender and number, though 'internazionale' is one of those adjectives that doesn't change for gender (it's the same for masculine and feminine singular).
🗨In Conversation
Buongiorno! Quanto costa il francobollo per questa lettera internazionale?
Good morning! How much does the stamp for this international letter cost?
Certo, per l'estero costa 2 euro e 50 centesimi.
Certainly, for abroad it costs 2 euros and 50 cents.
✕Common Mistakes
Quanto è il francobollo per questa lettera internazionale?
While 'è' means 'is', 'costa' (from 'costare' - to cost) is the correct verb to use when asking about the price of something. 'Quanto è' is generally used for 'how much is it?' in a more general sense, not for the cost of an item.
Quanto costa la francobollo per questa lettera internazionale?
Francobollo is a masculine noun, so it requires the masculine definite article 'il', not the feminine 'la'.
↔Alternatives
Quanto viene il francobollo per l'estero?
How much does the stamp for abroad come to?
Qual è il costo del francobollo per una lettera internazionale?
What is the cost of the stamp for an international letter?
Mi scusi, quanto devo pagare per spedire questa lettera all'estero?
Excuse me, how much do I have to pay to send this letter abroad?
Cultural Tip
When interacting with postal workers or service staff in Italy, it's always polite to start with a greeting like 'Buongiorno' (Good morning/day) or 'Buonasera' (Good evening) and to use 'Mi scusi' (Excuse me) before asking your question. Italians appreciate politeness and a respectful tone in formal interactions. Be prepared for potential queues at the post office, especially during peak hours.