Italian Phrase
Ci serve un tavolo con una buona illuminazione.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘We need a table with good lighting.’ It is a polite way to request a specific type of seating, often used in restaurants or cafés.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are looking for a spot that will let you read, work, or simply enjoy a meal without harsh shadows. It’s especially handy in cafés, co‑working spaces, or any venue where lighting matters.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ciserveuntavoloconunabuonailluminazione.
Ci (indirect object pronoun)
‘Ci’ is an indirect object pronoun meaning ‘to us’ or ‘for us’, placed before the verb.
Serve (verb ‘servire’)
‘Serve’ is the third person singular present of ‘servire’, meaning ‘we need’ or ‘it is necessary’.
Un tavolo (indefinite article + noun)
‘Un’ is the masculine singular indefinite article; ‘tavolo’ means ‘table’.
Con (preposition)
‘Con’ means ‘with’ and introduces a complement.
Buona illuminazione (adjective + noun)
‘Buona’ agrees in gender and number with ‘illuminazione’; together they mean ‘good lighting’.
🗨In Conversation
Ci serve un tavolo con una buona illuminazione.
We need a table with good lighting.
Certo, vi porto subito al tavolo vicino alla finestra.
Sure, I’ll take you right to the table near the window.
✕Common Mistakes
Ci serve un tavolo con una buona illuminazione
Missing the final period can make the sentence look informal; also, ‘serve’ should stay singular because the verb agrees with the impersonal ‘ci serve’.
Ci servono un tavolo con una buona illuminazione.
‘Servono’ is plural and does not match the singular noun ‘tavolo’. Use ‘serve’ for a single table.
Ci serve un tavolo con una buon illuminazione.
The adjective must agree in gender: ‘buona’ with the feminine noun ‘illuminazione’.
↔Alternatives
Vorremmo un tavolo ben illuminato.
We would like a well‑lit table.
Potremmo avere un tavolo con luce adeguata?
Could we have a table with adequate light?
Ci serve un tavolo dove c’è buona luce.
We need a table where there is good light.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, lighting can vary dramatically between historic cafés and modern restaurants. Asking for a well‑lit table is perfectly acceptable, but phrasing it politely with ‘Ci serve…’ shows respect and makes the request sound less demanding. In northern regions, people may prefer natural light near windows, while in the south, a softer ambient light is often appreciated.