SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to At The Restaurant

Italian Phrase

Hai un tavolo per due?

/ˈai un ˈtaːvo.lo per ˈdu.e/
Meaning"Do you have a table for two?"
💡

Meaning

Literally “Do you have a table for two?” It is the standard way to ask a restaurant or café staff whether a table for two people is available.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you arrive at a dining establishment and need a place to sit with another person. It works in casual cafés, family‑run trattorias, and even more formal restaurants, though you may switch to the formal “Ha” in very polite contexts.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Haiuntavoloperdue?

1

Avere (hai)

Second‑person singular present of the verb avere, used to ask if something exists or is available.

2

Indefinite article (un)

Masculine singular indefinite article placed before a noun that starts with a consonant or vowel (except z, s+consonant).

3

Noun gender (tavolo)

Tavolo is a masculine noun; any adjectives or articles must agree in gender and number.

4

Preposition per

Means “for” and introduces the purpose or the number of people the table should accommodate.

5

Cardinal numbers (due)

Due means “two”. Cardinal numbers are invariable in Italian; they do not change with gender or case.

🗨In Conversation

A

Buonasera, hai un tavolo per due?

Good evening, do you have a table for two?

Sì, subito. Seguitemi, per favore.

Yes, right away. Follow me, please.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ha un tavolo per due?

    Using “Hai” is informal; in polite or formal contexts you should use “Ha”.

  • Hai tavolo per due?

    The indefinite article cannot be omitted; saying “Hai tavolo per due?” sounds unnatural.

  • Hai un tavolo per due persone?

    Adding “persone” after “due” is redundant because “due” already indicates the number of people.

↔Alternatives

  • Possiamo avere un tavolo per due?

    Can we have a table for two?

  • C'è un tavolo libero per due?

    Is there a free table for two?

  • Avete un tavolo per due persone?

    Do you have a table for two people?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy it’s customary to greet the staff first (e.g., “Buongiorno” or “Buonasera”) before asking for a table. In formal settings or when speaking to older staff, switch the verb to the third‑person singular: “Ha un tavolo per due?”. Reservations are common in big cities, so if you’re not booked you might be asked to wait a few minutes.