Question Words

1. Che cosa?

   What?

   Usage

   The shortest question word; pair it with pointing

2. Dove?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; add a place name and you are understood

3. Quando?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times or opening times

4. Chi?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, e.g. who is in charge

5. Perché?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason, e.g. a delay or a refusal

6. Come?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks for a method, including how to get somewhere

7. Quanti?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people

   Grammar Note

   Masculine plural; use "Quante?" with feminine nouns

8. Quanto costa?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The key price question, in markets and shops alike

9. Quale?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to pick from, or point at, a set of options

   Grammar Note

   Plural "Quali?"; the form is the same before a noun

10. Che cos'è questo?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product and ask what it is

11. Dov'è il bagno?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions on any trip

    Grammar Note

    "Dove è" contracts to "dov'è"; public facilities are often "i servizi"

12. Che ore sono?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time, handy when making a connection

13. Ce l'ha?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks about stock or availability; name the item first

    Grammar Note

    Literally "do you have it there"; naming the item gives "Ha una mappa?"

14. Si può?

    Is it allowed?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible or allowed

    Grammar Note

    An impersonal way to ask if something is allowed; "Può?" asks the person

15. Si paga?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Check whether luggage storage, Wi-Fi, etc. costs money

16. È gratis?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirms something is free, e.g. samples or a map

17. Va bene?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks for permission; pair it with pointing

18. Non si può?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being turned down

19. Sta bene?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing — a different role from "Va bene?" (asking permission)

    Grammar Note

    The polite "Lei" form; with friends say "Stai bene?"

20. Davvero?

    Really?

    Usage

    A short reaction confirming something surprising

21. È sicuro?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Presses for confirmation of a fact — more formal than "Davvero?"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine form; for a woman say "È sicura?"

22. Di dov'è?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

23. Come si chiama?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

    Grammar Note

    The polite "Lei" form; with friends say "Come ti chiami?"

24. Quanti anni ha?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking someone's age at a first meeting can come across as intrusive; better saved until you know them a little

25. Possiamo fare una foto insieme?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks for permission to take a photo together

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