Common Questions to Get you Started in Italian

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Like in any language, the ability to ask questions is a crucial part of the language learning process. Our list of common Italian questions below will help provide you with the tools needed to ask questions in Italian.

Being able to ask basic questions will help give you the confidence to get out there and start speaking.

“Do you speak English?” in Italian

Parla inglese?

Use Parla inglese? with a stranger or in a formal setting. With a friend, use Parli inglese?. Asking for help is a useful part of learning.

Parla inglese? Parlo un po’ di inglese.

Do you speak English? I speak a bit of English.

Read our guide to asking questions in Italian.

“Where is the station?” in Italian

Dov’è la stazione?

When you find yourself lost and aimlessly wandering in search of your destination, this question can help get you out of a jam and get you on the right track.

Mi scusi, dov’è la stazione? Non è lontano da qui.

Excuse me, where is the station? It is not far from here.

“Where is the bathroom?” in Italian

Scusi, dov’è il bagno?

This is a polite way to ask a stranger where the bathroom is. Scusi and Mi segua use the formal Lei form; the informal forms are Scusa and Seguimi.

Scusi, dov’è il bagno? Mi segua, per favore.

Where is the bathroom? Follow me, please.

“How do you get to _____?” in Italian

Come si arriva a ______?

When you are looking to visit some of those famous Italian sights, there is no doubt you are going to want to know how to ask for directions. This question comes in handy. The preposition depends on the destination: a Roma, in Italia, alla stazione.

Come si arriva a Piazza della Repubblica? Prosegua dritto.

How do you get to the Piazza della Repubblica? Keep walking straight.

“How much does it cost?” in Italian

Quanto costa?

When you are out shopping,  you will need to know how to ask for the prices, regardless of whether you’re buying some simple souvenirs or some fancy Italian goods.

Quanto costa? Venti euro.

How much does it cost? Twenty euros.

“What are you saying?” in Italian

Che dici?

Che dici? can mean “What are you saying?” or, in context, “What do you think?” It uses informal tu. For a clear request to repeat something, say Può ripetere, per favore? (formal) or Puoi ripetere, per favore? (informal).

Che dici? È meglio andare via.

What are you saying? It is better to leave.

Read our guide to asking questions in Italian.

“Where are you going?” in Italian

Dove vai?

When you are looking to make some polite conversation or you want to know where someone is going so you can tag along, try this question.

Dove vai? Vado al ristorante.

Where are you going? I’m going to the restaurant.

“Why are you sad?” in Italian

Perché sei triste?

A question used when someone is looking sad and you would like to know why or show your concern.

Perché sei triste? Il mio cane è malato.

Why are you sad? My dog is sick.

“Who is singing?” in Italian

Chi canta?

Use chi to ask who is doing something. Unlike English, Italian commonly uses the simple present for an action happening now.

Chi canta? È mia sorella.

Who is singing? It is my sister.

“Who?” in Italian

Chi?

One of the basic question words in Italian for finding out the identity of whomever someone is referring to.

Chi è lui? È un mio amico.

Who is he? He is my friend.

“What?” in Italian

Cosa?

When you want to make a question in Italian, you better know what to ask. So make sure you memorize this super useful word.

Cosa vuoi? Vorrei un caffè.

What do you want? I would like a coffee.

“When?” in Italian

Quando?

When time is of the essence, you will want to be able to ask people when the thing will happen.

Andiamo insieme. Va bene. Quando?

Let’s go together. Alright. When?

“Where?” in Italian

Dove?

If you don’t know how to properly use this question word, you may show up at the wrong place! Now try to avoid that by keeping in mind this handy word.

Ho intenzione di studiare l’italiano. Dove?

I’m going to study Italian. Where?

“How?” in Italian

Come?

Come? means “How?” Use Come si arriva a…? to ask how to get somewhere.

Come si arriva alla biblioteca? Prosegua dritto.

How do you get to the library? Keep walking straight.

“Why?” in Italian

Perché?

Perché means “why” in a question and “because” when it introduces a reason. It has an acute accent on the final é.

Perché studi l’italiano? Perché l’italiano è una bella lingua

Why do you study Italian? Because it is a beautiful language.

Conclusion

Now that you have studied the list above, you will be asking questions with ease. Do not be afraid to get out there and start asking questions in Italian. How else are you supposed to make conversation?

For more guided practice, visit our Italian learning resources.