Italian Phrase
Quale uscita devo prendere?
Meaning
The speaker is asking for guidance about which exit to use, typically in a subway, highway, or large building. It conveys a polite request for specific directional information.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are in a place with multiple exits and you need to know which one leads to your destination—e.g., on a train platform, in a shopping mall, or while driving on a highway.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Qualeuscitadevoprendere?
Quale (interrogative adjective)
Used to ask "which" when choosing among a known set; it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
uscita (feminine noun)
Means "exit" or "way out"; always used with the definite article "l'" in spoken Italian (l'uscita).
devo (present of dovere)
First‑person singular of the modal verb "dovere" (to have to); expresses obligation or a polite request.
prendere (infinitive)
The infinitive of "prendere" (to take); after a modal verb like "dovere" the infinitive follows directly.
Implied subject
The subject "io" (I) is omitted because the verb ending -o already indicates it.
🗨In Conversation
Scusi, quale uscita devo prendere per arrivare al centro storico?
Excuse me, which exit should I take to get to the historic centre?
Devi prendere l'uscita 3, poi gira a sinistra.
You should take exit 3, then turn left.
✕Common Mistakes
Che uscita devo prendere?
"Che" is used for "what" or "which" when referring to a quality, not for selecting among alternatives.
Quale uscita devo prendo?
After "devo" you must use the infinitive form "prendere", not the conjugated "prendo".
Quale uscita devo prendere?
In spoken Italian the article is usually included: "l'uscita". Omitting it can sound unnatural in some regions.
Devo prendere uscita 3?
The noun needs its article; say "devo prendere l'uscita" or specify the number.
↔Alternatives
Quale via devo seguire?
Which road should I follow?
Quale percorso devo prendere?
Which route should I take?
Quale porta devo usare?
Which door should I use?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, it’s customary to start a request for directions with "Scusi" or "Mi scusi" to show politeness. Signage often uses numbers (e.g., "Uscita 2") and the article "l'" before "uscita" is dropped in spoken language, but you’ll still hear "l'uscita 2" on announcements. When asking for an exit on a train, you can also say "Quale fermata devo prendere?" if you’re looking for a station rather than a highway exit.