Question Words

1. Chè?

   What?

   Usage

   A one-word question for "what"; works with pointing

   Grammar Note

   The interrogative pronoun chè. Before a noun the form is chì, as in Chì ora hè? (what time is it)

2. Induve?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; add a place name or an object and you are understood

   Grammar Note

   Induve can be shortened to duve. The southern induva is not used

3. Quandu?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about a time or a date

   Grammar Note

   An interrogative adverb; it also serves as the conjunction "when"

4. Quale hè?

   Who is it?

   Usage

   To ask who someone is

   Grammar Note

   Quale is the pronoun for people (Quale hè chì vene? = who is coming). Hè is the 3sg of esse, written with an accent. No inversion is needed. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Perchè?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason

   Grammar Note

   Perchè means both "why" and "because". Written with a final è

6. Cumu?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks about a way or a manner

   Grammar Note

   Cumu is also written comu. It stands at the start of the sentence, as in Cumu ti chjami? (what is your name)

7. Quanti?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number of things or people

   Grammar Note

   The masculine plural of quantu. It agrees with the noun (quanti zitelli, quante pecure)

8. Quantu costa?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The basic question for asking a price

   Grammar Note

   Quantu (how much) + costa (3sg of custà). Italian quanto is not used

9. Quale?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Asks which one among several

   Grammar Note

   Quale means both "which" and "who" (Quale di voi si chjama Paulu?). Point at what you are choosing from

10. Chì hè què?

    What is this?

    Usage

    To point at something unfamiliar and ask what it is

    Grammar Note

    Chì (what) + hè (is) + què (this). Què is a demonstrative pronoun

11. Induve hè u cabinettu?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    To ask where the toilet is in a shop, a station or a hotel

    Grammar Note

    The pattern induve + hè + noun is the same as Induve hè u pane? (where is the bread). Cabinettu also covers the toilet. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

12. Chì ora hè?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    To ask for the time

    Grammar Note

    Word order chì ora hè (what hour is it). Ora is feminine and means hour or time

13. L'avete?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    To ask a shop assistant, while pointing, whether they have something

    Grammar Note

    L' (it) is an object pronoun placed before the verb. Avete is the 2pl of avè, used for a polite addressee. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

14. Si pò?

    Can it be done? / Is it allowed?

    Usage

    To ask whether something may be done or is possible

    Grammar Note

    Si + 3rd person verb: "can one...". Pò is the 3sg of pudè. Show what you mean with gestures or pointing. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Si paga?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    To ask whether entry or use has to be paid for

    Grammar Note

    Si + paga: "does one pay". You can also ask Hè gratisi? to check whether it is free. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

16. Hè gratisi?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    To check whether something costs money or is free

    Grammar Note

    Gratisi is an adverb meaning "free of charge". No subject is needed before hè; intonation makes it a question. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

17. Và bè?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    To check that what you have done or chosen is fine

    Grammar Note

    Saying Và bè with a rising intonation turns it into a question. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

18. Ùn si pò micca?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    To check whether something is forbidden or impossible

    Grammar Note

    The negative pattern ùn + si pò + micca; micca reinforces the negation. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

19. State bè?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    To check on someone who looks unwell or in trouble

    Grammar Note

    The 2pl state of stà in stà bè (to be well). With a friend, use Stai bè?. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

20. Daveru?

    Really?

    Usage

    A one-word reaction to check or to express surprise at what was said

    Grammar Note

    An adverb; it also strengthens a sentence, as in mi dispiace daveru (I am really sorry)

21. Site sicuru?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    To double-check an explanation or directions you were given

    Grammar Note

    The 2pl site of esse + the adjective sicuru. For a woman, say sicura. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

22. Da duve site?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    To ask where a person you meet on the road comes from

    Grammar Note

    Da duve (from where) + site (you are). Duve is the short form of induve. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

23. Cumu vi chjamate?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    Politely asking the name of someone you have just met

    Grammar Note

    The 2pl of the reflexive chjamassi. With a friend use Cumu ti chjami? Chj is a palatal stop. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

24. Quanti anni avete?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    To ask someone's age, where that is not rude

    Grammar Note

    Age is expressed with avè (to have): quanti (how many) + anni (years) + avete. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

Browse all TravelPhrases languages