Asking questions in Italian is easier than it seems. With just a few question words, you can start real conversations and understand others better. In this lesson, we’ll look at the main question words and how to use them in simple sentences. We are going to look at:
- CHI
- DOVE
- QUANDO
- PERCHE’
- COME
- COSA
- QUALE
- QUANTO
chi = who
Use chi to ask about people.
Examples:
- Chi è? (Who is it?)
- Chi è il tuo insegnante? (Who is your teacher?)
- Con chi parli? (Who are you talking to?)
💡 Tip: chi never changes form. Very easy to remember!
dove = where
Use dove to ask about places.
Examples:
- Dove abiti? (Where do you live?)
- Dove lavori? (Where do you work?)
- Dove vai in vacanza? (Where are you going on holiday?)
Perfect for talking about cities, travels, or daily life.
quando = when
Use quando to ask about time or specific moments.
Examples:
- Quando studi italiano? (When do you study Italian?)
- Quando è il tuo compleanno? (When is your birthday?)
- Quando partite? (When are you leaving?)
perché = why / because
Use perché to ask for reasons or explanations. It is also used in answers.
Examples:
- Perché studi italiano? (Why do you study Italian?)
- Perché ami l’Italia. (Because you love Italy.)
come = how / what…like
Main uses:
1. To ask how to do something
- Come si dice “ciao” in italiano? (How do you say “ciao” in Italian?)
- Come vai al lavoro? (How do you go to work?)
2. To ask what someone or something is like
- Com’è Roma? (What is Rome like?)
- Com’è il tuo lavoro? (What is your job like?)
cosa / che cosa = what
Both mean the same thing, what.
Examples:
- Cosa fai? (What are you doing?)
- Che cosa mangi a colazione? (What do you eat for breakfast?)
- Cosa guardi in TV? (What do you watch on TV?)
quale / quali = which
Use quale / quali when there is a specific choice.
Examples:
- Qual è il tuo film preferito? (Which is your favourite movie?)
- Quale libro leggi? (Which book are you reading?)
- Quali lingue parli? (Which languages do you speak?)
⚠️ Note: qual è is written without an apostrophe.
quanto / quanta / quanti / quante = how much / how many
Changes form depending on the noun it refers to.
Examples:
- Quanto costa? (How much does it cost?)
- Quanta acqua bevi? (How much water do you drink?)
- Quanti fratelli hai? (How many brothers do you have?)
- Quante lingue parli? (How many languages do you speak?)
Basic question structure
For beginners, the structure is very simple:
Question word + verb + rest of the sentence
Examples:
- Cosa fai? (What do you do?)
- Dove abiti? (Where do you live?)
- Perché studi italiano? (Why do you study Italian?)
- Quante lingue parli? (How many languages do you speak?)
No need to use the personal pronoun, and no inversion is required (like in English) just put the verb right after the question word.
Speaking activity
Try this with a partner or on your own: ask at least one question for each question word.
- Dove abiti? (Where do you live?)
- Quando studi italiano? (When do you study Italian?)
- Perché studi italiano? (Why do you study Italian?)
- Cosa fai nel tempo libero? (What do you do in your free time?)
- Quale libro leggi? (Which book are you reading?)
- Quanti fratelli hai? (How many brothers do you have?)
💡 Tip: You can also write your answers in a notebook and read them aloud to practice pronunciation.
With just a few question words, you can already start interacting in Italian. The more you use them in conversation, the faster you’ll feel confident asking and answering real questions! Try them in our classroom, we still have a few places in our courses. For an assessment, please book your slot here.
