Signification
Describing road conditions.
Contexte culturel
In Rome, traffic is a lifestyle. The 'Grande Raccordo Anulare' (GRA) is a giant ring road around the city that is famous for constant traffic. Romans often use 'C'è traffico sul Raccordo' as a standard part of their daily vocabulary. Milanese traffic is often linked to the 'Area C' (congestion charge zone). People often discuss traffic in relation to whether they can enter the city center or if they should take the 'Tangenziale' (bypass). Neapolitan traffic is famously chaotic and creative. 'C'è traffico' here might involve scooters weaving through cars and a lot of expressive hand gestures. During August, the 'Esodo Estivo' occurs. The news reports 'bollino nero' (black sticker) days where 'c'è traffico' is an understatement—the highways are literally parked cars for miles.
The 'Pazzesco' Add-on
If you want to sound like a real Italian complaining, add 'pazzesco' (crazy). 'C'è un traffico pazzesco!' is much more authentic than just 'C'è traffico'.
Don't use 'Fa'
Remember, traffic isn't weather. Never say 'Fa traffico'.
Signification
Describing road conditions.
The 'Pazzesco' Add-on
If you want to sound like a real Italian complaining, add 'pazzesco' (crazy). 'C'è un traffico pazzesco!' is much more authentic than just 'C'è traffico'.
Don't use 'Fa'
Remember, traffic isn't weather. Never say 'Fa traffico'.
The Universal Excuse
In Italy, 'C'è traffico' is a socially accepted excuse for being 10-15 minutes late. Use it wisely!
Teste-toi
How do you say 'There is a lot of traffic' in Italian?
Scegli la frase corretta:
We use 'c'è' for existence and 'molto' (singular) to match 'traffico'.
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'esserci'.
Ieri _______ un sacco di traffico in centro.
'Ieri' (yesterday) requires the imperfect tense 'c'era'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Quale frase usi se sei in ritardo per un appuntamento?
'C'è traffico' is the standard excuse for being late.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Perché sei in ritardo? B: Perché _________.
The correct construction is always 'c'è' + 'traffico'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Traffico' vs 'Gente'
Traffico 🚗
- • Strade
- • Autostrade
- • Città (cars)
- • Ponti
Gente/Folla 👥
- • Marciapiedi
- • Negozi
- • Concerti
- • Ristoranti
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesScegli la frase corretta:
We use 'c'è' for existence and 'molto' (singular) to match 'traffico'.
Ieri _______ un sacco di traffico in centro.
'Ieri' (yesterday) requires the imperfect tense 'c'era'.
Quale frase usi se sei in ritardo per un appuntamento?
'C'è traffico' is the standard excuse for being late.
A: Perché sei in ritardo? B: Perché _________.
The correct construction is always 'c'è' + 'traffico'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsTechnically yes, you can say 'C'è molto traffico sul sito,' but it's more common to say 'Il sito ha molti visitatori.'
Yes, when referring to the general state of road congestion, it is an uncountable singular noun.
'Traffico' is the general presence of many cars. 'Coda' is a specific line of cars that are stopped or moving very slowly.
Only if you are looking at the cars on the street. If you mean the sidewalk is crowded, say 'C'è molta gente.'
Expressions liées
C'è coda
similarThere is a queue/line of cars.
Ingorgo
specialized formTraffic jam/bottleneck.
Ora di punta
builds onRush hour.
Viabilità
synonymRoad conditions/traffic flow.
