Italian · BeginnerHo perso il portafoglioI lost my wallet

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00:00Intro
Hello everyone! Welcome to our simple Italian podcast.
Hi Giulia! Hello to all our dear listeners!
Marco, how are you today? Everything good?
I'm good, thanks! But today I have a little problem.
Really? What happened? Tell me!
I'm always looking for my things, in my jacket pockets!
Haha! You're always the usual distracted guy!
You're right! I often lose my keys, or my phone.
Losing important things, causes a lot of anxiety.
That's true! Especially when you lose your wallet around.
Oh my! Losing your wallet is a real nightmare!
Inside there is money, cards, and important documents.
That's why today we're talking about, a very useful topic.
It often happens to many people, traveling or in the city.
Exactly! Let's learn what to say, to find lost items.
Before we begin, let's listen to our phrases together.
Let's listen to our six phrases today together, in order.
The first phrase is: I lost my wallet.
The second phrase is a question: Where is the lost and found office?
The third phrase is used to describe: It is black leather.
The fourth phrase asks for details: What was inside?
The fifth phrase seeks information: Did someone bring a wallet?
And the sixth phrase is used to confirm: Here is my ID.
Six very clear phrases, and practical for every emergency.
Now Marco tells us, an interesting demonstration story.
Exactly! I'll tell you a simple story, to understand well.
Perfect, let's listen to your story right away!
Yesterday afternoon I went, to downtown Bologna.
What a beautiful city! Did you go for a walk?
Yes! I wanted to stroll around, and have a good coffee.
Piazza Maggiore is beautiful, full of historic cafes!
I went into a nice cafe, near the square.
Were there many people at the counter?
There were many people in front of the cashier, and a bit of a crowd.
Did you have a good Italian espresso?
I ordered a coffee, and I took out my wallet.
Paying at the cafe counter, is always a nice habit.
I paid two euros, with a coin.
And then did you put the wallet back right away, in your jacket?
Yes, I put it back in my pocket, and left the place.
Walking under the porticoes of Bologna, is wonderful!
I arrived on foot, up to the central train station.
And were you thirsty there, after the long walk?
Exactly! I wanted to buy a bottle, of cold water.
And when you looked for money, what happened?
I touched my jacket pocket, and it was empty!
Oh my goodness, how scary! I feel bad just thinking about it!
The pocket was empty, and I was speechless.
I imagine the total panic, in that moment!
I looked at the ground and said: I lost my wallet.
Did you go back to search, along the porticoes?
I looked along the street, but there was nothing.
Fortunately at the station, there are always conductors!
I saw a uniformed train conductor, near the platforms.
Did you approach him immediately, to ask for help?
I immediately asked him: Where is the lost and found office?
Well done, you asked the right question!
The conductor was kind, and pointed me to a door.
Was it a nearby door, at the end of the platform?
Yes, it was right at the end, of platform one.
Did you go inside the office immediately?
I walked quickly, and entered the office.
Was there a clerk ready, to help you at the counter?
There was a very kind, and helpful clerk.
Did you explain to him right away, about the lost wallet?
I explained that I lost, an item lost shortly before.
And did the clerk ask, for all the details to find it?
He asked me for the color, shape, and material.
And you gave him, the precise description!
I replied calmly: It is black leather.
Great, so he could check, among the items!
Then the clerk asked me, another important question.
He wanted to know the contents, to be one hundred percent sure!
He looked me in the eyes and said: What was inside?
And did you remember, all the contents accurately?
I answered that there were twenty euros, and my ID card.
Perfect information, to verify your name!
The clerk smiled, and stood up from his chair.
Did he go right away to search, in the records?
He opened a large drawer, of grey metal.
What a moment of great emotion, and hope!
He took a black wallet, and read my name.
What fantastic news! An honest citizen found it!
It was really mine! Someone brought it to the staff.
There really are so many honest people, luckily!
The clerk asked me, for proof of my identity.
And did you have another document with photo?
I took out my driver's license and said: Here is my ID.
Did he check the photo and signature, carefully?
He checked with care, and gave everything back to me.
What great relief, Marco! A wonderful adventure that ended well!
I was very happy, and thanked him with a big smile.
Now that we've seen the story, let's move to the explanations!
Perfect, let's discover the six phrases, one by one!
Let's enter the heart, of our lesson today.
Let's start with our first phrase: I lost my wallet.
This phrase is used, to immediately explain the main problem.
The phrase 'ho perso il portafoglio', means 'I lost my wallet'.
We use the past 'ho perso', for every lost item.
If I can't find my keys, I can say: I lost my keys.
And if I lose my bag, I say immediately: I lost my bag.
Exactly! It's a very simple structure, to use every day.
Let's move on to the second phrase: Where is the lost and found office?
In English this question corresponds to: 'Where is lost and found?'.
In every large station, or airport, there is this special office.
The expression 'oggetti smarriti', indicates lost things.
We can use 'dov'è', to ask for any important place.
For example we can ask: where is the cashier? Where is the station?
A very useful question, to orient yourself immediately when traveling.
Now let's discover the third phrase: It is black leather.
With 'è di pelle nera', we say in English 'it is black leather'.
With these words we describe, the material and the color.
We can change the color, according to our wallet.
For example we can say: it is brown leather.
Or if it's made of fabric: it is blue fabric, or red.
The word 'pelle', indicates a classic and elegant material.
Let's continue with the fourth phrase: What was inside?
The question 'cosa c'era dentro?', corresponds to 'what was inside?'.
This is the typical question, from the counter clerk.
It is used to check, if we are the true owners.
To answer we use 'c'era', for a single important thing.
For example we say: there was a photo, or a document.
And we use 'c'erano', for plural: there were twenty euros.
An easy difference to understand, and very natural.
We arrive at the fifth phrase: Did someone bring a wallet?
This phrase means: 'Did someone bring a wallet?'.
This question is great, if we return to the cafe or shop.
We ask the staff, if someone found something.
The verb 'portare' here, indicates handing in the item at the counter.
We can also ask: did someone bring some keys?
And we arrive at the sixth phrase: Here is my ID.
The phrase 'ecco il mio documento', means 'here is my ID'.
The word 'ecco' is used, to present and show an object.
In Italy the main documents, are ID card and driver's license.
Showing the document, serves to confirm our name.
When we say 'ecco il mio documento', the clerk does the check.
These six phrases, form a perfect sequence for everyone.
Now let's talk about real habits, and practical advice!
Great idea! Let's see together, how to organize documents and cash!
Marco, what do you usually keep, inside your wallet?
I keep my ID card, health card, and a few banknotes.
And don't you also keep all, the old cafe receipts?
Haha, you caught me! I have receipts from many months ago!
Your wallet, looks like a small book full of paper!
That's true! I need to clean up, and throw away old receipts!
I on the other hand keep only, a few essential things in my bag.
In my opinion today, it's convenient to pay everything with the phone.
I don't agree with you, on this point, Marco!
Really, Giulia? Why do you prefer carrying cash with you?
In Italy for an espresso, coins are very convenient.
You're right: paying one euro at the counter, is very fast.
But it's important, not to carry too much cash.
Good advice! If you lose your wallet, you lose less money.
And what do you advise doing, if you can't find your wallet?
First of all, one must stay calm everywhere.
Then you need to calmly remember, all the places visited.
Exactly! Go back to the cafe, the shop, or the bus stop.
And if the item isn't found, go straight to lost and found.
In Italy many honest people, hand in found items.
It's a wonderful gesture of respect, towards others.
Knowing these phrases helps, to explain clearly without fear.
Now that we've talked about everything, it's time for the quiz!
I'm completely ready! Giulia, test me with your questions!
Let's see if you can answer, all the situations!
Situation number one. You are at the supermarket checkout, and can't find anything. What do you say to the cashier with concern?
I say in an agitated tone: I lost my wallet.
Exact answer! The cashier tells you, to search calmly.
Situation number two. You are at the railway station, looking for found items. What do you ask the clerk?
I ask politely: Where is the lost and found office?
Well done! The clerk immediately points out, the office door.
Situation number three. The clerk asks you, how to recognize your wallet. How do you describe the material?
I answer precisely: It is black leather.
Perfect! A clear description, to help the clerk search.
Situation number four. The clerk wants to know what was inside, for verification. What does he ask you?
He immediately asks me: What was inside?
Correct answer! You describe your personal documents, and coins.
Situation number five. You return to the breakfast cafe, and ask for info. What do you ask the barista?
I ask hopefully: Did someone bring a wallet?
Exactly! The barista tells you, that a young man left it.
Situation number six. The clerk has the wallet, but wants to verify the name. You show your license and say what?
I say with great relief: Here is my ID.
Excellent, Marco! You answered all questions very well!
It was a fun exercise, and useful for reviewing.

Key phrases

6 to keep
Ho perso il portafoglioI lost my wallet
La prima frase è: Ho perso il portafoglio.The first phrase is: I lost my wallet.
Dov'è l'ufficio oggetti smarriti?Where is the lost and found office?
La seconda frase è una domanda: Dov'è l'ufficio oggetti smarriti?The second phrase is a question: Where is the lost and found office?
È di pelle neraIt is black leather
La terza frase serve per descrivere: È di pelle nera.The third phrase is used to describe: It is black leather.
Cosa c'era dentro?What was inside?
La quarta frase chiede i dettagli: Cosa c'era dentro?The fourth phrase asks for details: What was inside?
Qualcuno ha portato un portafoglio?Did someone bring a wallet?
La quinta frase cerca informazioni: Qualcuno ha portato un portafoglio?The fifth phrase seeks information: Did someone bring a wallet?
Ecco il mio documentoHere is my ID
E la sesta frase serve per confermare: Ecco il mio documento.And the sixth phrase is used to confirm: Here is my ID.

Tocca a te

Your turn
dillo ad alta voce
Today's small task

Immagina di non trovare più il tuo portafoglio: quale frase dici ad alta voce?Imagine you can't find your wallet anymore: what phrase do you say out loud?

cocoaHo perso il portafoglio
0:0014:44