Conversazione in aeroporto tra viaggiatori in Italia

What does “accomodarsi” mean in Italian?

Accomodarsi looks like “to accommodate,” but it’s what an Italian says while gesturing at a chair: prego, accomodati (informal) or prego, si accomodi (formal). Behind it sits comodo, “comfortable” — so the invitation is literally “make yourself comfortable.” Depending on whether you’re at a doorway, a table or a waiting room, the same word means “have a seat,” “come in,” or “this way, please.”

In the clip it’s the very first exchange between two strangers at the airport: “Questo posto è libero?” — “Sì, è libero. Prego, accomodati.” Non-reflexive accomodare means to fix or tidy something up, and the same root gives a haggling phrase worth knowing: sul prezzo ci possiamo accomodare, “we can come to an arrangement on the price.”