Italian Phrase
Ci serve un seggiolone.
Meaning
The sentence means “We need a high chair.” It is used when a group (usually parents with a baby) requires a baby‑size seat, for example at a restaurant or a friend’s home. The construction is impersonal, so the verb stays in the third‑person singular.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are at a public place (restaurant, café, family gathering) and you need a high chair for your child. It can also be used when asking a caregiver or a host to provide one.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ciserveunseggiolone
Impersonal verb "servire"
"Servire" is often used impersonally with an indirect object pronoun (ci, ti, gli) to mean “to need”. The verb stays in third‑person singular regardless of the subject.
Indirect object pronoun "ci"
"Ci" means “to us” or “for us”. In this construction it indicates who needs something.
Indefinite article "un"
"Un" is the masculine singular indefinite article used before a noun that begins with a consonant.
Noun "seggiolone"
"Seggiolone" is a masculine noun meaning a high chair for babies. It is different from "seggiolino" (car seat).
🗨In Conversation
Ci serve un seggiolone.
We need a high chair.
Certo, ne ho uno in cucina.
Sure, I have one in the kitchen.
✕Common Mistakes
Io serve un seggiolone.
The verb must stay in third‑person singular; use "Io ho bisogno di" instead.
Ci serve un seggiolino.
"Seggiolino" means car seat, not a high chair for babies.
Ci serve seggiolone.
The indefinite article is required before a singular countable noun.
↔Alternatives
Abbiamo bisogno di un seggiolone.
We need a high chair.
Ci serve una seggiolina.
We need a little high chair.
Vorremmo un seggiolone, per favore.
We would like a high chair, please.
Cultural Tip
In most Italian restaurants a "seggiolone" is provided free of charge for families with infants. It’s polite to ask with "Ci serve un seggiolone, per favore". Note that "seggiolino" refers to a car seat, so using the wrong noun can cause confusion. In the north, you may also hear "seggiolina" as a diminutive, but "seggiolone" is the standard term across Italy.