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Italian Phrase

Possiamo fare una chiamata veloce?

/posˈsja.mo ˈfa.re ˈu.na ˈkja.ma.ta veˈlo.tʃe/
Meaning"Can we have a quick call?"
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Meaning

Literally ‘Can we make a quick call?’, this phrase is used to ask someone if they have time for a brief phone conversation. It conveys politeness and respect for the other person’s schedule.

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When to use

Use it in professional emails, chat messages, or face‑to‑face when you need a short phone discussion—e.g., to clarify a detail, confirm a meeting, or resolve a quick question.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Possiamofareunachiamataveloce?

1

Possiamo (potere)

First‑person plural present of the modal verb *potere* meaning ‘we can’. It is followed by an infinitive.

2

fare (infinitive)

The infinitive *fare* means ‘to do/make’. After a modal verb it stays in the infinitive form.

3

una (indefinite article)

Feminine singular indefinite article that agrees with the noun *chiamata*.

4

chiamata (noun)

*Chiamata* is a feminine noun meaning ‘call’ (usually a phone call).

5

veloce (adjective)

Adjective meaning ‘quick’. In Italian adjectives normally follow the noun, so *una chiamata veloce* is the natural order.

6

Question mark

The whole sentence is a polite request, so it ends with a question mark to soften the request.

🗨In Conversation

A

Possiamo fare una chiamata veloce?

Can we have a quick call?

Certo, ti chiamo tra cinque minuti.

Sure, I’ll call you in five minutes.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Possiamo fare una veloce chiamata?

    Adjectives normally follow the noun; *una chiamata veloce* is the natural order.

  • Possiamo fare una chiamata veloce.

    Missing the question mark makes it sound like a statement rather than a polite request.

  • Possiamo fare una chiamata rapida?

    *Rapida* is understood but less common; native speakers prefer *veloce* or *breve*.

↔Alternatives

  • Possiamo fare una breve chiamata?

    Can we have a short call?

  • Possiamo fare una telefonata veloce?

    Can we make a quick phone call?

  • Possiamo fare una chiamata rapida?

    Can we have a rapid call?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian business culture, time is valued, so explicitly saying *veloce* signals that you’ll keep the conversation short. *Chiamata* is the everyday word for a phone call, while *telefonata* sounds a bit more formal. Avoid placing the adjective before the noun (*una veloce chiamata*) unless you want a poetic or emphatic tone.