Easy Italian Question Words: A 2022 Guide With Examples
Original blog post: https://ling-app.com/it/italian-question-words/ (with audio🔊)
Would you like to know how what are the easy Italian question words? Question words are used at the beginning of a sentence when you want to ask something. For example, the most common question words are:
- Who
- What
- How
- When
- Which
- Why
- How much
- How Many
The question words are fundamental in learning Italian because you will definitely need them during your travel to Italy. Or even with your Italian friends since you will ask some questions occasionally.
This article covers the most common Italian question words you will need.
Easy Italian Question Words To Know
Question words help you ask for information about various things you might need. For example, you can ask what time it is, directions, the price of an object, other people’s preferences, and much more.
Here are the easiest Italian question words to learn:
1. QUANDO (WHEN)
“Quando” has the function of asking, in interrogative sentences, at what time or the moment a fact, a situation, or an action will be determined.
Here are some examples:
2. PERCHÉ (WHY)
This word means for “what reason?.” It is used in direct and indirect interrogative propositions to ask the cause or purpose for which something has been done.
Here are some examples:
3. CHI/DI CHI (WHO/WHOSE)
The word “chi” can be masculine and, more rarely, feminine and means “the one who…,” while the word “di chi” is used to ask others about the ownership of things.
The following examples can help you figure out how to use this word:
4. CHE/CHE COSA/COSA (WHAT)
All three forms of the so-called ‘neutral’ interrogative pronoun are correct and widely used in contemporary Italian in direct and indirect interrogative propositions.
- Che (cosa / che cosa) mi volevi dire? — What did you want to tell me?
- Non mi ricordo più di che (di cosa / di che cosa) ti volevo parlare — I no longer remember what I wanted to talk to you about
“Cosa” appears to be the most common form today at all levels of writing and speaking. But it has by no means undermined the more traditional “che” and “che cosa” from use.
The form that became established later in the history of Italian was precisely “cosa” considered by grammarians to be a form to be avoided.
The fortune of “cosa” began in the mid-nineteenth century when Manzoni (following the model of the Florentine spoken by educated people) decided correct “cosa” instead of “che cosa” used in the first edition of the Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed).
Here are some examples of use:
5. QUANTO/QUANTI/QUANTE (HOW MUCH)
This is another question word used in interrogative and doubtful sentences to ask for the quantity or number of things or people.
Here are some examples:
Here are some examples:
6. QUALE/QUALI (WHICH)
This word indicates, with an interrogative and relative value, single elements (things, people, animals, etc.), or categories of factors, about the quality they are characterized and distinguished.
For example:
7. DOVE/DA DOVE (WHERE)
This word means “in what place:” in direct or indirect interrogative sentences, it indicates state or destination.
For example:
Would you like to learn more about the Italian language?
Ready To Learn More Italian?
Now that you know how to ask questions in Italian, what about becoming fluent? If you want to speak like a native, you can use the Ling App!
With this application, you can learn Italian quickly by following lessons at your own pace. Or you can learn more than one language if you want. Moreover, understanding every aspect of a language, like grammar, pronunciation, and other language aspects is possible.
In addition, if you want to understand all shades of a mother tongue, you can check out our posts on Country Names And Nationalities In Italian and Happy Birthday In Italian. Get ready to add even more words to your vocabulary!
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