Italian Phrase
Chi usa i posti riservati?
Meaning
Literally “Who uses the reserved seats?” It is a polite way to ask who is entitled to sit in seats that are marked as reserved, such as those for people with disabilities, pregnant women, or the elderly.
When to use
Use this sentence when you see a row of seats marked *posti riservati* on a bus, train, theater, or public building and you want to know who should occupy them before taking a seat yourself.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Chiusaipostiriservati?
Chi (who)
Interrogative pronoun used to ask about a person; it does not change with gender or number.
usa (uses)
Third‑person singular present of the verb *usare*; the subject is implied by *chi*.
i (the, plural)
Definite article that must agree in gender (masculine) and number (plural) with *posti*.
posti (seats/places)
Masculine plural noun meaning “seats” or “places”.
riservati (reserved)
Adjective that agrees in gender and number with *posti*; comes after the noun in Italian.
Question formation
In Italian, a simple yes/no or wh‑question can be formed by placing the interrogative word at the start and ending with a question mark; no inversion is needed.
🗨In Conversation
Scusa, chi usa i posti riservati?
Excuse me, who uses the reserved seats?
Sono per persone con disabilità o per chi è incinta.
They’re for people with disabilities or for someone who is pregnant.
✕Common Mistakes
Che usa i posti riservati?
Use *chi* for “who”; *che* means “what/which”.
Chi usi i posti riservati?
The verb *usare* is correct, but learners often forget the third‑person singular ending *-a*.
Chi usa posti riservati?
The article must agree with the noun; *i* is correct for masculine plural.
↔Alternatives
Chi può occupare i posti riservati?
Who can occupy the reserved seats?
Chi ha diritto ai posti riservati?
Who has the right to the reserved seats?
A chi sono destinati i posti riservati?
To whom are the reserved seats intended?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, *posti riservati* are legally protected for people with reduced mobility, pregnant women, the elderly, and sometimes for parents with small children. Occupying them without a valid reason can result in a fine. When in doubt, it’s courteous to ask before taking a reserved seat, especially on public transport or in cinemas.