Meaning
Everything is in order or correct.
Cultural Background
Being 'a posto' is essential for 'la bella figura'. It means you are not a source of trouble for your family or community. In the South, 'Tutto a posto?' is often used as a greeting even among strangers, accompanied by a specific chin-flick gesture. When dealing with Italian offices, hearing 'È tutto a posto' is a huge relief, meaning your paperwork is finally correct. Italians use 'a posto così' to signal the end of a meal phase, preventing the waiter from bringing unnecessary items.
The Universal Answer
If you don't know how to answer 'How are you?' in a neutral way, 'Tutto a posto' is always safe and natural.
Don't Pluralize
Never say 'a posti'. It is an adverbial phrase, so it never changes.
Meaning
Everything is in order or correct.
The Universal Answer
If you don't know how to answer 'How are you?' in a neutral way, 'Tutto a posto' is always safe and natural.
Don't Pluralize
Never say 'a posti'. It is an adverbial phrase, so it never changes.
Restaurant Hack
Say 'A posto così' when the waiter brings the bill to indicate you don't need anything else.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'essere a posto'.
Dopo aver pulito, la cucina finalmente ___ ___ ___.
The subject is 'la cucina' (third person singular), so we use 'è'.
Which sentence means 'I don't want any more coffee'?
Il cameriere ti offre altro caffè. Cosa rispondi?
'Sono a posto così' is the standard way to decline more of something.
Match the meaning of 'a posto' to the context.
Context: 'Giovanni è un ragazzo a posto.'
When describing a person, 'a posto' refers to their character.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Hai controllato i freni della bici?' B: 'Sì, ora ___ ___ ___.'
The subject is 'i freni' (plural), so we use 'sono'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
The Three Faces of 'A Posto'
Objects
- • Tidy room
- • Fixed car
- • Organized files
People
- • Honest
- • Reliable
- • Sane
Situations
- • Paid bills
- • Finished meal
- • Clear conscience
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDopo aver pulito, la cucina finalmente ___ ___ ___.
The subject is 'la cucina' (third person singular), so we use 'è'.
Il cameriere ti offre altro caffè. Cosa rispondi?
'Sono a posto così' is the standard way to decline more of something.
Context: 'Giovanni è un ragazzo a posto.'
When describing a person, 'a posto' refers to their character.
A: 'Hai controllato i freni della bici?' B: 'Sì, ora ___ ___ ___.'
The subject is 'i freni' (plural), so we use 'sono'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends or with your boss.
Yes, 'Non mi sento a posto' means you feel slightly unwell or 'off'.
'In ordine' is more formal and usually refers only to physical tidiness.
It's a common misspelling reflecting how the words sound when spoken quickly.
Related Phrases
mettere a posto
builds onTo tidy up or fix something.
avere il cuore a posto
specialized formTo have a clear conscience.
fuori posto
contrastOut of place / inappropriate.
sistemarsi
similarTo get settled (job, house, marriage).
