Italian Phrase
Ci serve un tavolo per una sedia a rotelle.
Meaning
The sentence is a polite way to say that a group needs a table that can accommodate a wheelchair. It can be used in restaurants, schools, offices, or any public venue where accessibility is required.
When to use
Use this phrase when you arrive at a venue and want to request a table that is wheelchair‑friendly, for example in a restaurant, conference hall, or classroom.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ciserveuntavoloperunasediaarotelle
Impersonal "servire" with indirect object pronoun
"Ci serve" uses the verb "servire" impersonally to mean "we need"; the pronoun "ci" indicates the subject needing something.
Indefinite article "un"
"un" introduces a non‑specific masculine noun (tavolo) and agrees in gender and number.
Preposition "per"
"per" introduces the purpose or beneficiary of the table.
Compound noun "sedia a rotelle"
A fixed expression meaning "wheelchair"; the preposition "a" is part of the noun, not a separate preposition.
🗨In Conversation
Ci serve un tavolo per una sedia a rotelle, per favore.
We need a table for a wheelchair, please.
Certo, ve lo porto subito.
Certainly, I’ll bring it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Ci serve un tavolo per una sedia rotelle.
The preposition "a" is part of the fixed expression; omit it and the phrase is ungrammatical.
Ci serviamo un tavolo per una sedia a rotelle.
"Serviamo" means "we serve" (as in serving food), not "we need".
Ci serve un tavolo per una rotelle.
"Rotelle" must be preceded by "sedia a"; "rotelle" alone means "wheels".
↔Alternatives
Abbiamo bisogno di un tavolo per una sedia a rotelle.
We need a table for a wheelchair.
Ci occorre un tavolo adatto a una sedia a rotelle.
We require a table suitable for a wheelchair.
Potremmo avere un tavolo per una sedia a rotelle?
Could we have a table for a wheelchair?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, accessibility is regulated by law, but many establishments still rely on customers to ask for adapted furniture. Using "Ci serve" is neutral and polite; adding "per favore" or "grazie" makes the request even more courteous. The expression "sedia a rotelle" is standard across the country, though in some northern regions you might also hear "sedia a rotelle" without change.