Italian Phrase
Possono dirti come arrivare.
Meaning
Literally, ‘They can tell you how to arrive.’ In everyday speech it means ‘They can give you directions (to a place).’ The subject *possono* is usually understood as people, a guide, a map app, or any source of information.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to let someone know that help with directions is available – for example, a tourist asking a local, a friend offering to show the way, or a navigation app indicating it can provide a route.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Possonodirticomearrivare
Possono (potere)
Third‑person plural present of *potere* meaning ‘they can / are able to’. Used to express ability or permission.
dirti (dire + ti)
Infinitive *dire* ‘to say/tell’ combined with the clitic pronoun *ti* (to you). The pronoun is attached to the infinitive.
come (conjunction)
Introduces a manner clause, here meaning ‘how’. It is not the interrogative *come?* (how?) but a connective.
arrivare (infinitive)
Basic infinitive of *arrivare* ‘to arrive, to get to’. Often used after *come* to ask or explain a route.
🗨In Conversation
Scusa, non so come arrivare al Colosseo.
Excuse me, I don’t know how to get to the Colosseum.
Nessun problema, i cartelli possono dirti come arrivare.
No problem, the signs can tell you how to get there.
✕Common Mistakes
Possono dire come arrivare.
Missing the indirect object pronoun *ti* changes the meaning to ‘they can say’ without specifying who receives the information.
Possono dirti come arrivare?
Adding a question mark turns the clause into a direct question; the original sentence is a statement about someone’s ability to give directions.
↔Alternatives
Ti possono indicare la strada.
They can point out the way to you.
Possono spiegarti il percorso.
They can explain the route to you.
Ti dicono come arrivare.
They tell you how to arrive.
Cultural Tip
In Italy people often give directions using landmarks (e.g., *gira a destra al fontanone*). When you ask for help, it’s polite to start with *Scusi* or *Per favore*. The phrase *Possono dirti come arrivare* is neutral; for a more informal tone you could say *Ti dicono come arrivare*.