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Italian Phrase

Posso spostare la prenotazione del mio tavolo?

/ˈpɔs.so sposˈta.re la pre.no.taˈt͡sjo.ne del ˈmi.o taˈvo.lo/
Meaning"Can I move my table reservation?"
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Meaning

This sentence politely asks a restaurant staff member if you can change the time, date, or location of the table you have already booked. It conveys both a request for permission and a desire to adjust the reservation.

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When to use

Use it when you have an existing reservation and need to move it – for example, because of a schedule change, a larger party, or a different preferred time.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Possospostarelaprenotazionedelmiotavolo?

1

Posso (potere)

‘Posso’ is the 1st person singular present of the modal verb ‘potere’, used to ask for permission or ability.

2

Infinitive after modal

After a modal verb like ‘posso’, the main verb stays in the infinitive (spostare).

3

Article agreement

‘la’ matches the feminine noun ‘prenotazione’; articles must agree in gender and number.

4

del = di + il

‘del’ is the contraction of ‘di’ + ‘il’, indicating possession or relationship (of the).

5

Possessive adjective

‘mio’ agrees with the masculine singular noun ‘tavolo’.

6

Question mark

In written Italian, a question ends with a single ‘?’; the intonation rises in speech.

🗨In Conversation

A

Posso spostare la prenotazione del mio tavolo?

Can I move my table reservation?

Certo, a che ora preferisce? Possiamo spostarla alle 20:30.

Sure, what time would you prefer? We can move it to 8:30 p.m.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Posso spostare il mio tavolo?

    ‘Spostare il mio tavolo’ changes the meaning to moving the physical table, not the reservation.

  • Posso spostare la prenotazione del tavolo?

    Missing the possessive ‘mio’ makes the sentence sound vague; you’re referring to any table, not yours.

  • Posso spostare la prenotazione mio tavolo?

    The possessive must agree and be placed before the noun: ‘mio tavolo’, not after ‘prenotazione’.

↔Alternatives

  • Posso cambiare l'orario della mia prenotazione?

    Can I change the time of my reservation?

  • È possibile modificare la prenotazione del tavolo?

    Is it possible to modify the table reservation?

  • Vorrei spostare la mia prenotazione, per favore.

    I would like to move my reservation, please.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, it’s common to call the restaurant a few hours before the reservation to request a change. Using the formal ‘Lei’ (e.g., ‘Posso spostare la sua prenotazione?’) shows respect, especially in more upscale establishments. Restaurants appreciate a clear reason for the change and will try to accommodate you if possible.