How to Say “What Do You Mean?” in Italian: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how to ask “What do you mean?” in Italian is crucial for effective communication and navigating conversations when you encounter ambiguity or need clarification. This phrase is a fundamental tool for language learners, travelers, and anyone engaging with Italian speakers.

This article provides a detailed exploration of the different ways to express “What do you mean?” in Italian, covering various contexts, levels of formality, and nuances. By mastering these expressions, you can enhance your comprehension, participate more confidently in conversations, and avoid misunderstandings.

This guide is suitable for beginners, intermediate learners, and even advanced speakers looking to refine their communication skills.

Table of Contents

Definition: “What Do You Mean?” in Italian

The phrase “What do you mean?” is used to seek clarification when something is unclear, ambiguous, or confusing. In Italian, there are several ways to express this, each with its own level of formality and nuance. The most common and versatile translation is “Cosa vuoi dire?”. This literally translates to “What do you want to say?” and is widely understood. Other variations include “Che cosa intendi?”, which translates to “What do you intend?” or “What do you mean?”. The choice of phrase often depends on the context of the conversation, your relationship with the speaker, and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Understanding these variations is key to effective communication in Italian.

In addition to the direct translations, there are also more idiomatic expressions that achieve a similar effect. These might include phrases that express confusion or request further explanation.

These indirect translations are important to understand as they are commonly used in everyday conversation and can help you grasp the intended meaning of the speaker more completely.

Structural Breakdown of Key Phrases

Let’s break down the structure of the most common phrases used to say “What do you mean?” in Italian:

1. Cosa vuoi dire?

  • Cosa: What (interrogative pronoun)
  • vuoi: You want (second-person singular present indicative of the verb volere, “to want”)
  • dire: To say (infinitive of the verb dire, “to say”)

This phrase directly asks what the person wants to say, which is interpreted as asking for clarification of their meaning.

2. Che cosa intendi?

  • Che cosa: What (interrogative pronoun – more formal than just cosa)
  • intendi: You intend (second-person singular present indicative of the verb intendere, “to intend/mean”)

This phrase is a more formal way of asking what the person means or intends to say.

3. Che vuoi dire?

  • Che: What (interrogative pronoun – shortened form of che cosa or cosa)
  • vuoi: You want (second-person singular present indicative of the verb volere, “to want”)
  • dire: To say (infinitive of the verb dire, “to say”)

This is a slightly more colloquial version of “Cosa vuoi dire?” and is commonly used in everyday conversation.

The verb conjugations are also important depending on who you are speaking to. For example, when speaking to someone you should show respect to (using the formal ‘Lei’), you would use the following variations:

4. Cosa vuole dire?

  • Cosa: What (interrogative pronoun)
  • vuole: You want (third-person singular present indicative of the verb volere, “to want”, formal ‘you’)
  • dire: To say (infinitive of the verb dire, “to say”)

5. Che cosa intende?

  • Che cosa: What (interrogative pronoun – more formal than just cosa)
  • intende: You intend (third-person singular present indicative of the verb intendere, “to intend/mean”, formal ‘you’)

Types and Categories of Expressions

Formal Expressions

In formal settings, such as speaking with superiors, elders, or in professional contexts, it’s best to use more polite and respectful language. Formal expressions of “What do you mean?” include:

  • Che cosa intende? (What do you intend? – using the formal “you”)
  • Mi scusi, potrebbe ripetere cosa intende? (Excuse me, could you repeat what you mean?)
  • Potrebbe specificare cosa intende dire? (Could you specify what you mean to say?)

These phrases demonstrate respect and consideration, making them suitable for professional or formal interactions. Using the conditional tense (potrebbe) adds an extra layer of politeness.

Informal Expressions

When speaking with friends, family, or people you know well, you can use more casual and informal expressions:

  • Cosa vuoi dire? (What do you want to say?)
  • Che vuoi dire? (Shorter version of the above)
  • Cioè? (That is? / Meaning?)
  • Spiega! (Explain!)

These expressions are direct and straightforward, appropriate for relaxed and friendly conversations. The shortened form “Che vuoi dire?” is particularly common in everyday speech.

Regional Variations

While the standard Italian phrases are widely understood, some regional variations exist. These variations might involve different vocabulary or slightly altered grammar.

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For instance, in some regions, you might hear:

  • Cosa stai dicendo? (What are you saying?) – While technically “What are you saying?”, it can be used to ask for clarification, especially if the speaker is confused by what was said.
  • Specific dialectal phrases: These vary greatly depending on the region and may not be immediately understandable to non-natives.

Understanding these variations can enhance your comprehension and allow you to better connect with speakers from different regions.

Examples of “What Do You Mean?” in Italian

General Usage Examples

This table provides a variety of examples showing how to ask “What do you mean?” in different contexts, covering both formal and informal situations. These examples are designed to help you understand the nuances of each phrase and how to use them appropriately.

Italian Phrase English Translation Context
Cosa vuoi dire? What do you mean? General, informal
Che cosa intendi? What do you mean? / What do you intend? General, slightly more formal
Che vuoi dire? What do you mean? Informal, colloquial
Cosa intendi dire esattamente? What exactly do you mean to say? General, seeking specific clarification
Non capisco. Cosa vuoi dire? I don’t understand. What do you mean? Expressing confusion
Scusa, cosa intendi con…? Sorry, what do you mean by…? Politely seeking clarification
Cosa stai cercando di dire? What are you trying to say? When someone is being unclear
In che senso? In what sense? Asking for further explanation
Cioè? That is? / Meaning? Informal, seeking immediate clarification
Spiega meglio. Explain better. Informal, direct request for clarification
Non mi è chiaro. Cosa intendi? It’s not clear to me. What do you mean? Expressing lack of understanding
Potresti essere più specifico? Cosa vuoi dire? Could you be more specific? What do you mean? Requesting more detailed explanation
Quindi, cosa stai dicendo? So, what are you saying? Summarizing and seeking confirmation
Fammi capire, cosa intendi? Let me understand, what do you mean? Trying to understand the speaker’s point
A cosa ti riferisci? What are you referring to? Asking about a specific reference
Cosa подразумеваешь? What are you implying? Asking about an implication
Cosa c’entra? What does it have to do with it? Asking about relevance
Volevi dire…? Did you mean…? Confirming understanding
Quindi, in sostanza, cosa vuoi dire? So, in essence, what do you mean? Asking for the main point
Mi puoi spiegare meglio cosa intendi? Can you explain to me better what you mean? Politely requesting a better explanation
Non ho capito bene. Cosa volevi dire? I didn’t understand well. What did you mean? Expressing past confusion
Quindi, se ho capito bene, vuoi dire che…? So, if I understand correctly, you mean that…? Confirming a complex understanding
In altre parole, cosa stai dicendo? In other words, what are you saying? Requesting a simpler explanation
Puoi riformulare? Non ho capito cosa intendi. Can you rephrase? I didn’t understand what you mean. Requesting a rephrasing
Scusami, sono un po’ confuso. Cosa vuoi dire esattamente? Excuse me, I’m a bit confused. What exactly do you mean? Expressing confusion and seeking clarity

Formal Context Examples

This table provides specific examples of how to ask “What do you mean?” in formal contexts, such as in a business meeting or when speaking to someone you respect. Pay attention to the polite language and careful phrasing.

Italian Phrase English Translation Context
Che cosa intende, Dottore? What do you mean, Doctor? Speaking to a doctor
Professore, potrebbe chiarire cosa intende con…? Professor, could you clarify what you mean by…? Asking a professor for clarification
Mi scusi, potrebbe ripetere cosa intende dire? Excuse me, could you repeat what you mean to say? Politely asking someone to repeat
Potrebbe specificare cosa intende con questa affermazione? Could you specify what you mean by this statement? In a formal discussion or meeting
Signor Rossi, potrebbe elaborare su cosa intende? Mr. Rossi, could you elaborate on what you mean? Addressing someone formally in a business setting
Con rispetto parlando, cosa intende esattamente? With all due respect, what exactly do you mean? Expressing disagreement politely
Potrebbe fornirmi ulteriori dettagli su cosa intende? Could you provide me with further details on what you mean? Requesting more information
Mi perdoni, ma non ho compreso appieno. Cosa intende dire? Forgive me, but I haven’t fully understood. What do you mean to say? Politely admitting lack of understanding
Potrebbe gentilmente spiegare cosa intende con questo termine? Could you kindly explain what you mean by this term? Asking for the definition of a term
Sarei grato se potesse chiarire cosa intende. I would be grateful if you could clarify what you mean. Expressing gratitude in advance for clarification
Per essere certo di aver compreso correttamente, cosa intende? To be sure I have understood correctly, what do you mean? Seeking confirmation of understanding
Potrebbe gentilmente riformulare cosa intende? Could you kindly rephrase what you mean? Requesting a rephrasing politely
Mi scusi, ma non sono sicuro di aver capito. Potrebbe spiegare meglio cosa intende? Excuse me, but I’m not sure I understood. Could you explain better what you mean? Expressing uncertainty and requesting a better explanation
Sarebbe così gentile da specificare cosa intende dire? Would you be so kind as to specify what you mean to say? Using very polite language
Potrebbe cortesemente chiarire il suo punto di vista? Cosa intende? Could you courteously clarify your point of view? What do you mean? Asking for clarification of a viewpoint
Per favore, potrebbe precisare cosa intende con questa espressione? Please, could you specify what you mean by this expression? Requesting clarification of an expression
Mi scusi se la interrompo, ma potrebbe spiegare cosa intende? Excuse me for interrupting, but could you explain what you mean? Apologizing for interrupting and seeking clarification
Potrebbe gentilmente dirmi cosa intende con questa osservazione? Could you kindly tell me what you mean by this observation? Asking for the meaning of an observation
Le sarei molto grato se potesse chiarire cosa intende dire. I would be very grateful if you could clarify what you mean to say. Expressing strong gratitude for clarification
Potrebbe cortesemente delineare cosa intende con questa strategia? Could you courteously outline what you mean by this strategy? Asking for an outline of a strategy
Permetta che le chieda, cosa intende esattamente con questa politica? Allow me to ask, what exactly do you mean by this policy? Asking about a policy
Con il dovuto rispetto, potrebbe spiegare meglio cosa intende? With due respect, could you explain better what you mean? Politely requesting further explanation
Vorrei chiederle, se possibile, cosa intende con questa affermazione. I would like to ask you, if possible, what you mean by this statement. Politely asking about a statement
Potrebbe gentilmente illuminarmi su cosa intende con questo concetto? Could you kindly enlighten me on what you mean by this concept? Asking for enlightenment on a concept
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Informal Context Examples

This table provides examples of how to ask “What do you mean?” in informal contexts, such as with friends and family. Note the use of more direct and casual language.

Italian Phrase English Translation Context
Cosa vuoi dire? What do you mean? General, informal
Che vuoi dire? What do you mean? Very informal, colloquial
Cioè? That is? / Meaning? Very informal, quick clarification
Spiega! Explain! Direct, informal
Ma che dici? Cosa vuoi dire? What are you saying? What do you mean? Expressing disbelief and seeking clarification
Cosa stai cercando di dire? What are you trying to say? When someone is being vague
In che senso? In what sense? Asking for more explanation informally
Dai, spiega! Come on, explain! Encouraging someone to explain
Ma cosa intendi? But what do you mean? Expressing confusion
Dimmi, cosa vuoi dire? Tell me, what do you mean? Direct and friendly
Ma cosa stai dicendo? But what are you saying? Expressing surprise or disagreement
Allora, cosa intendi dire? So, what do you mean to say? Getting to the point
Quindi? Cosa vuoi dire con questo? So? What do you mean by this? Pressing for an explanation
Ma seriamente, cosa intendi? But seriously, what do you mean? Seeking a serious explanation
Spiegati meglio! Explain yourself better! Direct, informal command
Cosa c’entra? Spiega! What does it have to do with it? Explain! Demanding an explanation
Ma dai! Cosa vuoi dire? Come on! What do you mean? Expressing disbelief
Ma che stai dicendo? Cosa intendi? But what are you saying? What do you mean? Expressing strong disbelief
Ok, ok, ma cosa vuoi dire? Ok, ok, but what do you mean? Trying to understand
Quindi, in parole povere, cosa vuoi dire? So, in simple words, what do you mean? Asking for a simplified explanation
Ma fammi capire, cosa intendi? But let me understand, what do you mean? Trying to get a clear understanding
Ma dici sul serio? Cosa vuoi dire? Are you serious? What do you mean? Expressing surprise and doubt
Senti, cosa vuoi dire esattamente? Listen, what exactly do you mean? Direct and slightly impatient
Ma cosa stai implicando? But what are you implying? Asking about an implication
Su, sputa il rospo! Cosa vuoi dire? Come on, spit it out! What do you mean? Expressing impatience and demanding an explanation

Usage Rules and Considerations

When using these phrases, keep the following rules and considerations in mind:

  • Formality: Choose the appropriate level of formality based on your relationship with the speaker and the context of the conversation.
  • Tone: Your tone of voice is crucial. Even a polite phrase can sound aggressive if delivered with a harsh tone.
  • Verb Conjugation: Ensure you are using the correct verb conjugation based on who you are speaking to (tu vs. Lei).
  • Context: Consider the context of the conversation. Sometimes, a more indirect approach might be more appropriate.
  • Regional Variations: Be aware of regional variations and adapt your language accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes that learners make when asking “What do you mean?” in Italian:

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Incorrect Correct Explanation
Cosa tu vuoi dire? Cosa vuoi dire? Word order is incorrect. The pronoun is usually omitted.
Che cosa tu intendi? Che cosa intendi? Word order is incorrect. The pronoun is usually omitted.
Cosa dire vuoi? Cosa vuoi dire? Incorrect word order.
Che intendi cosa? Che cosa intendi? Incorrect word order.
Using informal phrases in formal situations (e.g., Cioè? with a professor). Using formal phrases in formal situations (e.g., Che cosa intende? with a professor). Incorrect level of formality.
Forgetting to conjugate the verb according to the person you are speaking to. Conjugating the verb correctly (e.g., Cosa vuole dire? when speaking to someone formally). Incorrect verb conjugation.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Provide the appropriate Italian translation for “What do you mean?” in each scenario, considering the context and level of formality.

Scenario Your Answer Correct Answer
You are talking to a friend and are confused by something they said. Cosa vuoi dire? / Che vuoi dire?
You are in a business meeting and need clarification from a colleague. Potrebbe specificare cosa intende?
You are speaking to your professor and didn’t understand their explanation. Professore, potrebbe chiarire cosa intende?
You are having a casual conversation and want a quick clarification. Cioè?
Someone is being vague, and you want them to get to the point. Cosa stai cercando di dire?
You are in a formal debate and need clarification on an opponent’s statement. Potrebbe specificare a cosa si riferisce?
Your sibling said something confusing. Ma che dici? Cosa vuoi dire?
You are speaking to a police officer. Mi scusi, agente, potrebbe chiarire cosa intende?
You are at a restaurant and do not understand the waiter. Scusi, cosa intende?
You are talking to your grandmother. Nonna, cosa intendi?

Advanced Topics: Nuances and Subtleties

For advanced learners, understanding the nuances and subtleties of these expressions is crucial. This includes recognizing implied meanings, understanding the emotional context, and using more idiomatic expressions. For example, the phrase “Ma dai!” can be used in conjunction with “Cosa vuoi dire?” to express disbelief or surprise. Similarly, understanding sarcasm and irony is essential for interpreting the true meaning behind someone’s words. Furthermore, exploring regional slang and idiomatic expressions can provide a deeper understanding of the Italian language and culture.

Another advanced aspect is understanding when *not* to directly ask “What do you mean?”. Sometimes, it’s more appropriate to rephrase your understanding and ask for confirmation. For example, you could say, “Quindi, stai dicendo che…?” (So, you’re saying that…?) This approach can be less confrontational and encourage a more open dialogue.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the most common way to say “What do you mean?” in Italian?

    The most common way is “Cosa vuoi dire?”. It’s versatile and widely understood in most contexts.

  2. How do I ask “What do you mean?” in a formal setting?

    Use phrases like “Che cosa intende?” or “Potrebbe specificare cosa intende?”. These are more polite and respectful.

  3. Is there a difference between “Cosa vuoi dire?” and “Che cosa intendi?”?

    Yes, “Che cosa intendi?” is slightly more formal and can also be translated as “What do you intend?”. “Cosa vuoi dire?” is more general and widely used.

  4. Can I use “Cioè?” in all situations?

    No, “Cioè?” is very informal and should only be used with friends, family, or people you know well.

  5. What if I still don’t understand after asking “What do you mean?”?

    You can try asking for a simpler explanation (“Puoi spiegare in modo più semplice?”) or rephrasing your understanding and asking for confirmation (“Quindi, stai dicendo che…?”).

  6. How do I avoid sounding rude when asking for clarification?

    Use polite language (“Scusi,” or “Per favore,”), maintain a respectful tone, and avoid interrupting the speaker.

  7. Are there regional variations for “What do you mean?” in Italian?

    Yes, some regional variations exist, but the standard phrases are generally understood throughout Italy. Be aware of local dialects, which may have their own unique expressions.

  8. What’s the difference between “Cosa stai dicendo?” and “Cosa vuoi dire?”

    While “Cosa stai dicendo?” translates to “What are you saying?”, it can be used to ask for clarification, especially if you are confused or disbelieving of what someone is saying. “Cosa vuoi dire?” is a more direct way of asking “What do you mean?”.

Conclusion

Mastering the various ways to ask “What do you mean?” in Italian is essential for effective communication and comprehension. By understanding the nuances of formality, tone, and context, you can confidently navigate conversations and avoid misunderstandings.

Remember to practice these phrases in different scenarios and pay attention to how native speakers use them. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification when needed, and always strive to communicate respectfully and effectively.

With consistent practice and attention to detail, you can significantly enhance your Italian language skills and build stronger connections with Italian speakers.

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