Italian Phrase
Compriamo una ricarica.
Meaning
Literally “We buy a recharge.” It is used when a group (or you and a friend) decides to purchase a prepaid credit refill – most often for a mobile phone, but also for transport cards or other prepaid services.
When to use
Say this at a tabaccheria, supermarket, or online kiosk when you need to add credit to a prepaid device. It works both in casual conversation and in a short, polite request to a shop assistant.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Compriamounaricarica
Compriamo
First‑person plural present of the verb *comprare* (to buy). It means “we buy”.
una
Indefinite article for feminine singular nouns. Matches *ricarica*.
ricarica
Feminine noun meaning “recharge” or “top‑up”, commonly for phones, transport cards, etc.
🗨In Conversation
Compriamo una ricarica per il cellulare?
Shall we buy a top‑up for the phone?
Sì, prendiamo quella da 10 euro.
Yes, let's take the one for 10 euros.
✕Common Mistakes
Compra una ricarica.
‘Compra’ is third‑person singular (he/she buys). Use ‘compriamo’ for ‘we buy’.
Compriamo un ricarica.
‘Ricarica’ is feminine, so the article must be ‘una’, not ‘un’.
Compriamo una ricarico.
‘Ricarico’ is a verb form, not the noun. The correct noun is ‘ricarica’.
↔Alternatives
Acquistiamo una ricarica.
We purchase a recharge.
Prendiamo una ricarica.
We take a recharge.
Facciamo una ricarica.
We do a recharge.
Cultural Tip
In Italy prepaid mobile plans are very popular, and *ricariche* are sold everywhere – from dedicated kiosks (tabaccherie) to supermarkets and online portals. When you ask for a recharge, specify the amount (e.g., “una ricarica da 10 euro”). The same phrase works for public‑transport cards, but you’ll often hear *una ricarica per la metropolitana*.