Previously, we looked at ways to talk about going to work and different positions at the workplace. In Part 3, we will talk about something we often have to do in an office or other workplace, or even just in everyday life: sign documents. Since the words we are looking for are not cognates — in fact, we might be tempted to invent the word "signare," which would be wrong — let's become familiar with the right words.

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The verb is firmare (to sign).

Documenti importanti da firmare, giusto.

Important documents to sign, that's right.

Caption 14, Provaci ancora prof! S1E3 - Una piccola bestia ferita - Part 9

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But you can also use the noun la firma (the signature).

Il verbale senza la sua firma non serve a nulla.

The statement without her signature is useless.

Caption 5, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1EP1 L'estate del dito - Part 26

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We often use the verb fare (to make, to do) when asking someone for their signature.

Mi fai una firma (will you sign this for me)?

We can also use the verb mettere (to put).

C'è da pagare un'ammenda, se mi mette una firma.

There's a fine to pay if you would put your signature on it for me.

Caption 17, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 3 S3 EP2 - Un nuovo medico in famiglia - Part 12

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These days, we are often asked to create una firma digitale (a digital signature) so that we can send un documento firmato (a signed document) via posta elettronica (email) or messaggino (text). Whatever kind of computer you have, there is likely an application to facilitate this. 

When you just need to initial a document, or, especially, single lines in a document, rather than providing your entire signature, someone might say:

Basta uno scarabocchio (a scribble will suffice).

Fai uno scarabocchio (initial it).

The proper, formal term, is siglare (to initial). 

Did you know that Daniela has a series of lessons on how to write a formal letter in Italian? Check it out here!

Dopo la formula di chiusura, inserisco la firma del mittente.

After the complimentary closing, I insert the signature of the sender.

Captions 27-28, Corso di italiano con Daniela Lettera formale - Part 4

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Two more important words to know, in the office or outside it are il mittente (the sender) and il destinatario (the recipient or addressee).

Let us know if there are particular things you would like to know about using Italian in the workplace. And let's not forget that more and more, English words are being incorporated into business Italian!

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I can ask you if you have a pen or a pencil, or I can ask you if you have something to write with. I don't always need to be specific. I can offer you a glass of water, a glass of wine, or I can just offer you something to drink. I might not want to be specific. Let's look at one way to say this in Italian.

We can use the preposition da (from, to, at) and the infinitive of a verb. Let's look at some examples. 

Hai da scrivere (do you have something to write with)?

Scusate, mica avete da accendere? -Sì.

Excuse me, do you happen to have a light? -Yes.

Caption 1, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1EP1 L'estate del dito - Part 26

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The person we ask for a light might have un accendino (a lighter) or dei fiammiferi (some matches). So we don't need to be specific. We just indicate what we need it for.

Faccio da mangiare (I'm going to make something to eat). 

Devo dare da mangiare a mia figlia.

I have to feed my daughter.

Caption 15, Adriano Olivetti La forza di un sogno Ep. 1 - Part 11

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Dai da bere a 'sti [questi] quattro lavoratori qua.

Give these four workers something to drink.

Caption 26, Chi m'ha visto film - Part 4

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Quando viaggio in treno porto sempre da leggere (when I travel by train I always bring something to read).

I can also say:

Porto sempre qualcosa da leggere (I always bring something to read).

Ci vorrebbe da dormire e da mangiare. -Bene.

We need lodging and food. -Fine.

Caption 20, Dafne Film - Part 17

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Ho da fare (I have stuff to do).

Let us know if you have questions at newsletter@yabla.com.