Italian Phrase

È la prima volta che vengo qui.

/ɛ la ˈpri.ma ˈvol.ta ke ˈveŋ.ɡo ˈkwi/

Meaning"It's the first time I have come here."

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Meaning

Literally, “It is the first time that I come here.” The speaker is emphasizing that this is their inaugural visit to the place they are currently in.

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When to use

Use this sentence the moment you step into a new city, restaurant, museum, or any location you have never been to before. It works both in casual conversation with friends and in more formal settings such as a guided tour.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Èlaprimavoltachevengoqui

È (essere)

Third‑person singular present of *essere* used here as an impersonal verb to introduce a statement.

la prima volta

A fixed expression meaning “the first time”; the article *la* is required.

che (relative pronoun)

Introduces the subordinate clause that explains what the “first time” refers to.

vengo (venire)

First‑person singular present of *venire* – “I come/arrive”. In this context it means “I am coming (to this place)”.

qui vs. qua

*Qui* is the standard adverb for “here” in a more neutral or formal register; *qua* is more colloquial.

🗨In Conversation

È la prima volta che vengo qui.

It's my first time here.

Benvenuto! Ti piacerà molto la città.

Welcome! You'll love the city.

✕Common Mistakes

È la prima volta che vado qui.
Use *vengo* (come) for ‘I am coming here’; *vado* means ‘I go’ and sounds like you are leaving.
È prima volta che vengo qui.
The article *la* is mandatory; omitting it makes the phrase sound ungrammatical.
È la prima volta che vengo qua.
*Qua* is colloquial; in a neutral sentence like this *qui* is preferred.

↔Alternatives

È la prima volta che sono qui.
It's the first time I'm here.
È la prima volta che mi trovo qui.
It's the first time I find myself here.
È la prima volta che visito questo posto.
It's the first time I visit this place.

Cultural Tip

Italians love to comment on first experiences with *È la prima volta che…*. The phrase can be followed by a verb of arrival (*vengo*, *arrivo*) or by a verb of being (*sono*, *mi trovo*). In the north, you’ll hear *qui* more often, while in the south speakers may prefer *qua* in informal speech.