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Cercare casa in Italia
Renting an ApartmentHero phrasecercare casato look for an apartment/house
A1
10:28 listen
Hosted by Marco & GiuliaToday you'll learn:
The vocabulary
6 phrases from “Cercare casa in Italia”
Each phrase has a plain explanation and real lines from the show. Tap “Hear it” to jump to that moment.
cercare casaHero phrase
cercare casato look for an apartment/house
- Da mesi continuo a cercare casa vicino al lavoro.I've been looking for a place near work for months.
- Ti aiuto a cercare casa in centro questo weekend.I'll help you look for a place downtown this weekend.
l'affitto mensilePhrase 1
l'affitto mensilemonthly rent
- L'affitto mensile include già le spese condominiali?Does the monthly rent already include the condo fees?
- Con questo stipendio l'affitto mensile è un po' alto.With this salary the monthly rent is a bit high.
una zona tranquillaPhrase 2
una zona tranquillaa quiet area
- Cerchiamo un appartamento in una zona tranquilla.We're looking for an apartment in a quiet area.
- Preferisco una zona tranquilla lontano dal traffico.I prefer a quiet area away from the traffic.
in una buona posizionePhrase 3
in una buona posizionein a good location
- L'appartamento è in una buona posizione, vicino alla metro.The apartment is in a good location, close to the metro.
- Voglio vivere in una buona posizione per andare a piedi in ufficio.I want to live in a good location so I can walk to the office.
la caparraPhrase 4
la caparradeposit
- Prima di firmare il contratto, chiedono la caparra.Before signing the contract, they ask for the deposit.
- Quanto è la caparra per questo monolocale?How much is the deposit for this studio?
la data di ingressoPhrase 5
la data di ingressomove-in date
- Possiamo anticipare la data di ingresso di una settimana?Can we bring the move-in date forward by a week?
- La data di ingresso è il primo del mese prossimo.The move-in date is the first of next month.
The full conversation
Listen & read along
Marco · now playing
Ciao Giulia! Tu fai sempre molta confusione!
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00:00Intro
Hi Giulia! You always get confused!
What are you saying, Marco! You always lose your keys!
Today we talk about a fantastic and very useful topic.
We want to help all our friends search for a house.
We will learn six useful phrases for every day.
Today's first phrase is to search for a house.
It means finding a nice apartment where to live with joy.
The second important phrase is the monthly rent.
Then we explain in detail a quiet area.
We also learn the special phrase in a good location.
Then we talk clearly about the deposit.
And finally we see the move-in date.
I have a very funny story to tell today!
And I have a really curious fact about Italy!
Stay with us until the end of the lesson!
So, Marco! What funny story do you want to tell?
Last week I searched for a house for hours.
For whom did you search for a house with so much patience?
I searched for a house for a dear school friend of mine.
Did you find a beautiful place downtown?
No, we saw a really very strange apartment.
Why was it strange? Tell all the details right away!
The house had a modern but very small kitchen.
This is quite normal in big Italian cities.
But the bathroom of the house did not have a door!
How is that possible? No door in the bathroom?
Just like that! It only had a simple red curtain!
Ha ha! What an incredible and funny thing!
The landlord was proud of that red curtain.
Did he say it was an artistic and modern style?
Yes! He said exactly those words with pride!
Did your friend take the house right away?
No! He ran away quickly without speaking!
He did very well! A curtain gives no privacy!
In Italy many people search for a house in a special way.
That's true! In Italy we often see yellow signs.
The word for-rent is written on them in large letters.
People hang the sign on the house balcony.
Or stick the paper on the window facing the street.
So whoever strolls through the neighborhood sees the ad.
Many people do not go immediately to real estate agencies.
They carefully look at windows while walking downtown.
It is an old method and still very popular among us.
But today young people also use smartphones.
Anyway the street sign still works very well.
One often finds good opportunities without paying commission!
This is a big advantage for anyone wanting to save money!
Now let's explain the other five phrases well!
Today's second phrase is the monthly rent.
Monthly rent means the monthly cost of the house.
It is the amount of money to pay every month.
How much did the landlord want for that strange place?
He wanted a really too high monthly rent.
Did he ask for more than one thousand euros for the room?
He asked for one thousand two hundred euros a month!
Mamma mia! An exaggerated price for a curtain!
Now let's move on immediately to today's third phrase.
The third phrase is a quiet area.
A quiet area means a calm and pleasant neighborhood.
A place where there is not too much noise at night.
Without too many cars and without venues open until late.
Was that house with the curtain in a quiet area?
Not at all! Under the window there was a big nightclub!
What a total disaster! Very loud music for the whole night!
But I love the city center. It is full of life!
I on the other hand always prefer living in a quiet area.
So you are officially on Team Giulia!
Exactly! And you are proud of Team Marco!
Which side are you on, dear listeners?
Write it in the comments to let us know!
Now let's look carefully at the fourth phrase!
The fourth phrase is in a good location.
In a good location means near important services.
Near the train station, buses, and supermarkets.
That house was truly in a good location.
Yes, but the nightclub under the house ruined everything!
I read a very interesting piece of news on the web yesterday!
What nice thing did you read? Tell us right away!
Have you ever asked yourself how many Italians search for a house online?
I don't know. Maybe forty percent of people?
No, try to make another quick attempt!
Maybe sixty percent of students and workers?
More than seventy percent search for a house online!
I also read that mobile applications are very convenient.
One can look at many photos before the visit.
This saves a lot of time for everyone!
Now let's explain well today's fifth phrase.
The fifth phrase is the deposit.
Deposit means the sum of money for security.
It is the money you give to the landlord before entering.
The landlord keeps the sum for security against damage.
How much did that landlord ask as a deposit?
He asked for a full three months of deposit in advance!
Three months of rent is truly a lot of money!
And now we arrive together at the sixth phrase.
The sixth phrase is the move-in date.
Move-in date means the first day.
It is the day you happily enter the new house.
The special moment when you bring your suitcases.
When was the move-in date for that strange apartment?
The move-in date was fixed for the very next day!
Really too short a time to organize the move!
Now let's do a nice quick practice game!
I am very happy and ready! Go ahead and ask your questions!
Situation number one for Marco.
You want to find a new apartment where to live.
What phrase do you say in Italian?
I say with great energy: I must search for a house right away!
Fantastic and perfect answer! Well done Marco!
Situation number two for you.
You want to know the sum to pay every month.
How do you ask your question to the landlord?
I ask very politely: what is the monthly rent?
Very well done! A truly clear and polite question!
Situation number three for you.
You search for a neighborhood without noise to rest well.
What do you explain to the real estate agent?
I explain clearly: I wish to live in a quiet area.
Excellent! Sleeping well without noise is very important!
Situation number four for you.
You like having transport and shops nearby.
How do you describe the location of the house?
I say super happily: the house is in a good location!
Fantastic! A perfect description that makes everything clear!
Situation number five for you.
The landlord wants the security sum beforehand.
What is that money called in Italian?
I answer confident and firm: I must pay the deposit today.
Right! The deposit is a normal guarantee in Italy!
Situation number six for you.
You want to know the exact day to enter the house.
What phrase do you use with the landlord of the house?
I ask with much calm: what is the move-in date?
Mamma mia, Marco! You answered all questions extremely well!
It was a truly useful and fun exercise for me!
We have reached the conclusion of this nice lesson!
Remember today's funny story well!
Always carefully check the bathroom door!
Better to avoid red curtains in the house bathroom!
Now let's see together the special task for tomorrow!
Tomorrow morning go quickly in front of the mirror.
Look at yourselves in the mirror with a big and nice smile.
And pronounce out loud three times this useful phrase.
I search for a house in a quiet area!
Repeat it again with much energy and much clarity!
I search for a house in a quiet area!
Speaking out loud helps very much to remember everything!
Also write in the comments your personal preference!
Are you fans of Team Giulia or Team Marco?
See you soon for a new and fantastic episode!
A very warm greeting to everyone and see you soon!
Tocca a teYour turn
Allenati con 6 situazioni verePractice with 6 real situations
1cercare casacercare casa
Un amico chiede se hai già una casa. Cerchi da mesi, vicino al lavoro. Cosa dici?
A friend asks if you have a home already. You look for months, near work. What do you say?2l'affitto mensilel'affitto mensile
Visiti un appartamento. Vuoi sapere se l'affitto al mese ha già le spese del palazzo. Cosa dici?
You visit an apartment. You want to know if the rent for the month already has the building costs. What do you say?3una zona tranquillauna zona tranquilla
L'agente chiede che zona volete. Non volete rumore e traffico. Cosa dici?
The agent asks what area you want. You do not want noise and cars. What do you say?4in una buona posizionein una buona posizione
Un amico chiede dov'è l'appartamento. C'è la metro vicino. Cosa dici?
A friend asks where the apartment is. The metro is near. What do you say?5la caparrala caparra
Parli del contratto con un amico. Prima di firmare vogliono la caparra. Cosa dici?
You talk about the contract with a friend. Before you sign, they want the deposit money. What do you say?6la data di ingressola data di ingresso
Puoi entrare il primo del mese. Tu vuoi una settimana prima. Cosa dici?
You can go in on the first of the month. You want one week before. What do you say?Today's small task
Say “cercare casa” out loud once today — in a real situation if you can.Say “cercare casa” out loud once today — in a real situation if you can.
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