SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to Doctor Visit

Italian Phrase

Puoi darmi una stima dei costi?

/ˈpwɔi ˈdar.mi ˈu.na ˈsti.ma dei ˈkɔs.ti/
Meaning"Can you give me an estimate of the costs?"
💡

Meaning

The sentence politely asks someone to provide an estimate of the expenses involved. It’s a common request in business meetings, project planning, or when negotiating a service price.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you need a rough financial figure from a colleague, supplier, or service provider. It works well in both informal (with a teammate) and semi‑formal (with a client) contexts, as long as you keep a friendly tone.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Puoidarmiunastimadeicosti?

1

Potere (Puoi)

‘Puoi’ is the second‑person singular present of the modal verb *potere*, used to ask for permission or a favor.

2

Infinitive + Indirect Object Pronoun (darmi)

The infinitive *dare* combines with the indirect object pronoun *mi* to form *darmi* (‘to give me’).

3

Indefinite Article (una)

‘una’ is the feminine singular indefinite article, matching the noun *stima*.

4

Partitive Article (dei)

‘dei’ is the plural partitive article (de + i) meaning ‘of the’ or ‘some’, used before plural nouns like *costi*.

5

Plural Noun (costi)

‘costi’ is the plural of *costo* (cost), and it follows the partitive article *dei*.

🗨In Conversation

A

Puoi darmi una stima dei costi?

Can you give me an estimate of the costs?

Certo, penso che saranno intorno ai 3.000 euro.

Sure, I think it will be around 3,000 euros.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Puoi darmi una stima di costi?

    The partitive article *dei* is required before a plural noun; *di* changes the meaning to ‘a estimate of cost’ (singular).

  • Puoi darmi una stima del costi?

    The article *del* (de + il) is singular; it does not agree with the plural *costi*.

  • Puoi darmi una stima dei costi?

    When speaking to someone you don’t know well, use the conditional *potresti* or the formal *Lei* form to avoid sounding too direct.

↔Alternatives

  • Mi potresti dare una stima dei costi?

    Could you give me an estimate of the costs?

  • Potresti fornirmi una stima dei costi?

    Could you provide me with a cost estimate?

  • Hai un'idea di quanto costerà?

    Do you have an idea of how much it will cost?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian business culture, adding a softener like *per favore* or using the conditional (*potresti*) makes the request sound even more courteous. When speaking with senior managers, you might switch to the formal *Lei* form: *Può darmi una stima dei costi?*