Italian Phrase
Tieni pronto un numero di telefono di riserva.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to have a backup phone number ready, usually for emergencies or situations where the primary contact might fail. It conveys a practical piece of advice and can be used both in informal and semi‑formal contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving a friend, colleague, or family member a safety tip—e.g., before a trip, during a business project, or when setting up a new service that requires a contact number.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tieniprontounnumeroditelefonodiriserva
Imperative (tu) of tenere
‘Tieni’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb ‘tenere’ (to keep, to hold). It is used to give a direct command or advice.
Adjective after verb
In Italian, adjectives like ‘pronto’ can follow the verb they describe, meaning ‘ready’ or ‘prepared’.
Partitive ‘di’ for specification
The first ‘di’ links the noun ‘numero’ with its complement ‘telefono’; the second ‘di’ introduces the qualifier ‘riserva’ (reserve, backup).
Article agreement
‘Un’ is the indefinite article that matches the masculine noun ‘numero’; the adjective ‘pronto’ stays masculine singular to agree with ‘numero’.
🗨In Conversation
Hai già il numero di emergenza per il viaggio?
Do you already have an emergency number for the trip?
Sì, ma tieni pronto un numero di telefono di riserva, così se il cellulare si scarica possiamo contattare qualcuno.
Yes, but keep a backup phone number ready, so if the cell phone dies we can reach someone.
✕Common Mistakes
Tieni pronta un numero di telefono di riserva.
‘Pronta’ is feminine; the adjective must agree with the masculine noun ‘numero’.
Tenere pronto un numero di telefono di riserva.
In the imperative you need the conjugated form ‘Tieni’, not the infinitive ‘tenere’.
Tieni pronto un numero di riserva di telefono.
Placing ‘di riserva’ after ‘telefono’ is correct; moving it before can sound unnatural.
↔Alternatives
Prepara un numero di telefono di riserva.
Prepare a backup phone number.
Mantieni a portata di mano un numero di telefono di riserva.
Keep a backup phone number within reach.
Assicurati di avere un numero di telefono di riserva pronto.
Make sure you have a backup phone number ready.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, it’s common to exchange multiple contact numbers when planning trips, events, or business meetings, because mobile coverage can be spotty in rural areas. Using the imperative ‘Tieni pronto…’ is friendly yet authoritative, suitable for advice among peers or from a senior colleague. For a more formal tone, you could say ‘La prego di tenere pronto…’. Regional dialects may replace ‘pronto’ with local synonyms, but the standard phrase works nationwide.