How to say what in italian
Italian is a beautiful and melodic language that is spoken by millions of people around the world. If you are planning a trip to Italy or simply want to expand your language skills, it’s important to know how to say common words and phrases. One word that you will frequently use in Italian is “what.”
So, how do you say “what” in Italian? The translation of “what” in Italian is “che” or “cosa.” These two options can be used interchangeably depending on the context of the sentence. It’s important to note that “che” is more commonly used in questions, while “cosa” can be used in both questions and statements.
For example: If you want to ask “What is your name?” you would say “Come ti chiami?” or “Come ti chiami tu?” Another example would be “What time is it?” which translates to “Che ora è?” or “Che ore sono?”
Learn how to say common questions in Italian
As you try to communicate with Italians, asking questions is an essential part of conversation. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate speaker, learning how to ask questions in Italian can greatly improve your ability to communicate effectively. Here are some common questions that you may come across and how to say them in Italian:
1. “What is your name?”
In Italian it is said as “Come ti chiami?” or more formally as “Come si chiama?”.
2. “Where are you from?”
To ask someone about their origin or nationality, you say in Italian: “Di dove sei?” or using the formal form “Di dov’è?”.
3. “How old are you?”
To ask about someone’s age, you say in Italian: “Quanti anni hai?” or in a more polite form “Quanti anni ha?”.
4. “What do you do for a living?”
To ask about someone’s occupation, you say in Italian: “Cosa fai nella vita?” or in a more formal form “Cosa fa nella vita?”.
5. “Where is the nearest pharmacy/restaurant/hotel?”
If you’re looking for directions, you can say: “Dov’è la farmacia/il ristorante/l’albergo più vicino?”
6. “How much does it cost?”
If you want to know the price of something, you can ask: “Quanto costa?” In case of multiple items, you use “Quanto costano?”
7. “Can you help me?”
To ask for assistance, you say in Italian: “È possibile aiutarmi?” or informally “Mi puoi aiutare?”
8. “Where can I find a taxi/bathroom?”
To inquire about a taxi or a bathroom, you say: “Dove posso trovare un taxi/un bagno?”
Remember to practice these questions and their pronunciation to feel more confident while conversing with native Italian speakers. Buona fortuna!
Basic Italian phrases for asking “what”
When learning a new language, it’s important to know how to ask basic questions, such as “What?”. In Italian, there are a few different ways to ask this question, depending on the context. Here are some phrases you can use:
Che cosa?
The most straightforward way to ask “What?” in Italian is “Che cosa?” This is a formal expression that can be used in any situation.
Cosa?
A more casual and shortened version of “Che cosa?” is simply “Cosa?” This can be used among friends or in informal situations.
Che cazzo?
Note that the expression “Che cazzo?” is a very informal and vulgar way to ask “What?” in Italian, and should be used with caution. It is often used in a negative or frustrated tone.
When asking “What?” in Italian, it’s important to pay attention to the context and the level of formality required. Using the appropriate phrase will help you communicate more effectively and avoid any misunderstandings.
Useful questions to ask in Italian
When learning a new language, it’s important to know how to ask questions. Here are some essential questions you can use when speaking Italian:
1. Come si dice … in italiano?
This question means “How do you say … in Italian?” It’s a great way to learn new vocabulary and expand your language skills.
2. Che cosa significa …?
Meaning “What does … mean?,” this question is useful when you come across unfamiliar words or phrases. It helps you understand the meaning and context of the conversation.
3. Cosa stai facendo?
If you want to ask “What are you doing?”, this question can help you engage in conversation and learn more about the activities or hobbies of the person you’re speaking with.
4. Puoi ripetere, per favore?
“Can you repeat, please?” It’s a handy phrase to use when you didn’t understand something or need the speaker to clarify or repeat their statement.
Asking questions in Italian is not only a great way to expand your vocabulary and improve your language skills, but it also helps you engage in meaningful conversations with native speakers. Practice these questions and you’ll be well on your way to fluency!
Asking about preferences in Italian
When learning a new language, it is important to be able to ask about preferences. In Italian, there are several phrases and expressions you can use to find out what someone likes or prefers. Here are some useful questions and vocabulary to help you have a conversation about preferences in Italian:
– Che cosa piace a te? (What do you like?)
If you want to ask someone about their likes or preferences in general, this is a simple and common way to do it. They may respond with something specific they enjoy, like food, movies, or sports.
– Ti piace…? (Do you like…?)
Use this question if you want to ask if someone likes a specific thing or activity. You can fill in the blank with anything you want to ask about, such as “Ti piace cucinare?” (Do you like cooking?) or “Ti piace viaggiare?” (Do you like traveling?).
– Preferisci A o B? (Do you prefer A or B?
This question gives two options and asks the person to choose which one they prefer. For example, “Preferisci il mare o la montagna?” (Do you prefer the sea or the mountains?). It’s a great way to start a conversation about different places, things, or activities.
– Cosa vorresti fare? (What would you like to do?)
This is a more general question about someone’s preferences for activities or plans. It can be used to suggest something to do or to ask someone what they would like to do in their free time.
– Ti va di…? (Do you feel like…?
If you want to suggest doing something specific to someone, you can use this question. It can be followed by a verb in its infinitive form. For example, “Ti va di andare al cinema?” (Do you feel like going to the movies?).
Remember to listen and respond to the person’s answers to keep the conversation flowing. Asking about preferences is a great way to get to know someone and practice your Italian language skills.
Enquire about location or directions in Italian
If you are traveling in Italy and find yourself in need of directions or trying to locate a specific place, it’s important to be able to ask for help in Italian. Here are some useful phrases to enquire about location or directions in Italian:
Asking for directions
When asking for directions, it can be helpful to start with a polite greeting or excuse me:
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Scusi | Excuse me |
| Sa dov’è… | Do you know where… |
| Per cortesia, mi può dire come arrivare a… | Please, can you tell me how to get to… |
Receiving directions
When someone is giving you directions in Italian, it can be helpful to understand these phrases:
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Vada dritto | Go straight |
| Giri a destra | Turn right |
| Giri a sinistra | Turn left |
| E’ sulla sua destra/sinistra | It’s on your right/left |
| Prenda la prima/seconda strada a destra/sinistra | Take the first/second road on the right/left |
| Continui dritto fino a… | Continue straight until… |
| Segua le indicazioni per… | Follow the signs for… |
With these phrases, you should be able to confidently enquire about location or directions in Italian. Remember to be polite and patient when asking for help, and don’t forget to thank the person who assists you!
Learn to ask “what time is it?” in Italian
Asking for the time is a basic skill in any language. If you find yourself in Italy and need to know the time, you can use the following phrase to ask “what time is it?”:
“Che ora è?”
This literally translates to “What hour is it?” or “What time is it?”. The phrase is commonly used in Italy and understood by most Italians, so you can confidently ask strangers or locals for the time.
Remember, the Italian language uses a 24-hour clock system, so the responses you receive will be in military time. This means that instead of saying 2:00 PM as “two o’clock in the afternoon,” they will say “14:00” – pronounced as “quattordici” in Italian.
Example Conversations:
Person A: Che ora è? (What time is it?)
Person B: Sono le nove e mezza di mattina. (It is 9:30 AM.)
Person A: Che ora è? (What time is it?)
Person B: È l’una di pomeriggio. (It is 1:00 PM.)
Person A: Che ora è? (What time is it?)
Person B: Sono le ventuno. (It is 9:00 PM.)
Additional Phrases to Know:
If you’d like to learn more Italian phrases related to telling time, here are a few more useful phrases:
“A che ora…?” – At what time…?
“Alle…” – At…
“Le…” – It’s…
By learning these basic phrases, you’ll be able to navigate conversations about time with ease while in Italy. Practice asking for the time in Italian, and you’ll be well-prepared for any situation that requires you to know what time it is!
Discover how to ask “what are you doing?” in Italian
If you want to ask someone “what are you doing?” in Italian, you can use the phrases “Cosa stai facendo?” or “Che stai facendo?”. These expressions are commonly used to inquire about someone’s current activities or actions.
To use these phrases, you simply need to adjust the subject pronoun based on the person you’re addressing:
Informal:
- What are you doing? – Cosa stai facendo?
- What are you guys doing? – Cosa state facendo?
- What are you girls doing? – Cosa state facendo?
Formal:
- What are you doing? – Che sta facendo?
- What are you all doing? – Che stanno facendo?
It’s important to note that “Cosa stai facendo?” is more commonly used in informal situations, while “Che stai facendo?” can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Remember to practice these phrases to improve your Italian language skills and to engage in conversations with native Italian speakers!
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