A1 Italian GrammarBasic Questions
Learn how to form questions in Italian using intonation, question words (chi, che cosa, dove, quando, perché, come), and word order. Master essential interrogative structures for everyday conversations.
1Yes/No Questions with Intonation
The simplest way to ask yes/no questions in Italian is by raising your voice at the end of a statement. The word order stays the same as a statement. You can also place the subject after the verb for emphasis. In writing, just add a question mark.
Statement vs Question
| Statement | Question | English |
|---|---|---|
| Marco parla italiano. | Marco parla italiano? | Does Marco speak Italian? |
| Tu hai fame. | Hai fame? | Are you hungry? |
| Lei è italiana. | È italiana (lei)? | Is she Italian? |
| Loro vengono. | Vengono? | Are they coming? |
Examples
Parli inglese?
Do you speak English?
rising intonation makes it a question
Il treno è in ritardo?
Is the train late?
same word order as statement
Ti piace la pizza?
Do you like pizza?
intonation changes meaning
Vuoi un caffè?
Do you want a coffee?
offering with question
2Essential Question Words
Italian question words (parole interrogative) begin questions and determine what information you're asking for. The most common are: chi (who), che/che cosa/cosa (what), dove (where), quando (when), perché (why), and come (how). They typically come at the beginning of the sentence.
Question Words
| Italian | English | Example Question |
|---|---|---|
| chi? | who? | Chi è? |
| che cosa? / cosa? / che? | what? | Che cosa fai? |
| dove? | where? | Dove abiti? |
| quando? | when? | Quando parti? |
| perché? | why? | Perché piangi? |
| come? | how? | Come stai? |
Examples
Chi è quella ragazza?
Who is that girl?
chi for people
Cosa mangi?
What are you eating?
cosa is short for che cosa
Dove vai?
Where are you going?
dove for location/direction
Quando arriva il bus?
When does the bus arrive?
quando for time
3Quale and Quanto
Quale (which/what) and quanto (how much/many) are question words that agree with the noun they modify. Quale becomes quali in plural. Quanto changes: quanto (m.sg.), quanta (f.sg.), quanti (m.pl.), quante (f.pl.). Quale drops the -e before è: Qual è.
Quale and Quanto Forms
| Word | Forms | Example |
|---|---|---|
| quale | quale / quali | Quale libro? / Quali libri? |
| quanto (m.) | quanto / quanti | Quanto costa? / Quanti anni hai? |
| quanta (f.) | quanta / quante | Quanta acqua? / Quante persone? |
Examples
Qual è il tuo nome?
What is your name?
qual è (not quale è)
Quanti anni hai?
How old are you?
quanti with anni (masculine plural)
Quale preferisci?
Which one do you prefer?
quale for choice
Quante sorelle hai?
How many sisters do you have?
quante with sorelle (feminine plural)
4Word Order in Questions
In Italian questions, the verb often comes before the subject, especially with question words: Dove abita Marco? The subject can also come at the end for emphasis: Che cosa fa Maria? With yes/no questions, subject-verb order is flexible: Parla italiano Maria? or Maria parla italiano?
Question Word Order
| Structure | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Question word + verb + subject | Dove lavora Luigi? | Where does Luigi work? |
| Question word + verb (no subject) | Come si dice? | How do you say? |
| Verb + subject (yes/no) | È arrivato Marco? | Has Marco arrived? |
| Subject + verb (yes/no) | Marco è arrivato? | Has Marco arrived? |
Examples
Dove abita tua sorella?
Where does your sister live?
question word + verb + subject
A che ora comincia il film?
What time does the movie start?
a che ora = at what time
Perché non mangi?
Why aren't you eating?
perché with negation
Come si chiama questo in italiano?
What is this called in Italian?
come si chiama = what is called