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Breakdown of Vado in banca e prelevo contanti allo sportello automatico.
io
I
in
in
andare
to go
e
and
a
at
la banca
the bank
prelevare
to withdraw
lo sportello automatico
the ATM
Questions & Answers about Vado in banca e prelevo contanti allo sportello automatico.
Why do we say in banca instead of a banca?
In Italian, the preposition in is used with many enclosed or well-defined places like in banca, in ufficio, in montagna. Although English speakers often use to the bank, in Italian you stay “in” the building. Saying a banca would sound odd here.
What does prelevo mean and why not use ritiro?
Prelevo is the first-person present of prelevare, meaning “to withdraw (money).” It’s the standard banking term for taking cash out of your account. You could also say ritiro (from ritirare), but prelevare is more precise and common when talking about ATMs or bank withdrawals.
Why is contanti plural? Can you withdraw one “contante”?
Contanti means “cash” and is always used in the plural in Italian—just like “funds” in English. You wouldn’t say un contante; you’d specify an amount, e.g. ritiro 50 euro in contanti.
What is allo in allo sportello automatico?
Allo is a contraction of a + lo, the preposition a (“to/at”) plus the masculine singular definite article lo. It’s used before words starting with certain consonant clusters (here s-t). So allo sportello = a + lo sportello.
Does sportello automatico just mean “ATM”?
Yes. Sportello automatico literally means “automatic counter/window.” It’s the formal way to say ATM. You might also hear cassa automatica, but sportello emphasizes the “window” aspect where you interact with the machine.
Why use two verbs in the present (“vado… e prelevo”) instead of an infinitive after vado?
In Italian, if you want to express two sequential actions you normally use the present tense twice: Vado in banca e prelevo contanti… If you said Vado a prelevare, you’d be shifting focus to the purpose of the trip (“I’m going in order to withdraw”), which is also valid but slightly more formal or emphatic.
Could I say vado al bancomat instead?
Absolutely. Bancomat is the common trademark name for ATMs in Italy. You could say Vado al bancomat e prelevo contanti, and everyone would understand perfectly.
Can I omit contanti and just say prelevo allo sportello?
Yes, context often fills in the rest. Prelevo allo sportello strongly implies “money,” but adding contanti makes it clear you’re taking out physical cash, not performing some other transaction.
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