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Italian Phrase

Mi serve una copia della fattura.

/mi ˈsɛrve ˈuna ˈkopja ˈdɛlla fatˈtuɾa/
Meaning"I need a copy of the invoice."
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Meaning

Literally, “I need a copy of the invoice.” The phrase is a polite, business‑like way to ask for a duplicate of a tax invoice or receipt, often used in offices, shops, or when dealing with accountants.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you are at a store, a service desk, or writing an email and you need an extra copy of a bill for your records, tax filing, or reimbursement.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Miserveunacopiadellafattura

1

Servire (impersonal)

The verb *servire* is used impersonally; the subject is the thing needed, while the indirect object pronoun (mi) indicates who needs it.

2

Indirect object pronoun

Mi = to me. It replaces a phrase like *a me* and is placed before the verb.

3

Partitive article *della*

*Della* = *di* + *la*; it means “of the” and agrees in gender and number with the noun that follows.

4

Indefinite article *una*

Used before a feminine singular noun when the noun is not previously identified.

🗨In Conversation

A

Mi serve una copia della fattura, per favore.

I need a copy of the invoice, please.

Certo, gliela preparo subito.

Sure, I’ll prepare it for you right away.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Mi serve una copia del fattura.

    Fattura is feminine, so the correct partitive article is *della*, not *del* (which is masculine).

  • Serve mi una copia della fattura.

    In Italian the pronoun comes before the verb; *Mi serve* is correct, not *Serve mi*.

  • Mi serve copia della fattura.

    You need the indefinite article *una* before *copia*; omitting it sounds incomplete.

↔Alternatives

  • Ho bisogno di una copia della fattura.

    I need a copy of the invoice.

  • Potrei avere una copia della fattura?

    Could I have a copy of the invoice?

  • Mi può dare una copia della fattura?

    Can you give me a copy of the invoice?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian business contexts a slightly more formal version is *Avrei bisogno di una copia della fattura* or *Le sarei grato se potesse inviarmi una copia della fattura*. The verb *servire* is perfectly natural in spoken Italian, but written requests often prefer the conditional or *avere bisogno di* for extra politeness.