Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn to use fundamental Italian interrogatives such as Dove (Where), Quale (Which), Che cosa (What), and Perché (Why) to ask common questions. This lesson covers their usage with practical examples, highlighting differences with English and providing key phrases to practice.
Avverbio (Adverb)Esempio (Example)
Dove?

Dove vivi? (Where do you live?)

Dove si trova l'università? (Where is the university?)

Quale?

Quale è il tuo lavoro? (Which is your job?)

In quale università studi? (In which university do you study?)

Che cosa?

Che cosa vuoi cenare? (What do you want for dinner?)

Che cosa vuoi fare domani? (What do you want to do tomorrow?)

Perché?

Perché ti dedichi all'ingegneria? (Why do you dedicate yourself to engineering?)

Perché studi l'italiano? (Why do you study Italian?)

Exceptions!

  1. Perché introduces a question or an answer.

Exercise 1: Gli interrogativi: "Quale?", "Dove?", "Perché?"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

perché, Quale, Dove, Perché, Che cosa

1.
... studi di solito?
(Where do you usually study?)
2.
... vuoi mangiare per colazione?
(What do you want to eat for breakfast?)
3.
... lavori tanto?
(Why do you work so much?)
4.
Studio l'italiano ... voglio vivere in Italia.
(I study Italian because I want to live in Italy.)
5.
... vuoi fare domani?
(What do you want to do tomorrow?)
6.
... risposta è corretta tra queste due?
(Which answer is correct between these two?)
7.
... studi l'italiano?
(Why are you studying Italian?)
8.
... studi ingegneria?
(Why do you study engineering?)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ___ lavori di solito durante la settimana?

(___ do you usually work during the week?)

2. ___ università frequenti per i tuoi studi?

(___ university do you attend for your studies?)

3. ___ hai scelto di studiare ingegneria?

(___ did you choose to study engineering?)

4. ___ si trova il tuo ufficio?

(___ is your office located?)

5. ___ lavoro ti piace di più?

(___ job do you like most?)

6. ___ vuoi cambiare professione?

(___ do you want to change profession?)

Understanding Italian Question Words: "Quale?", "Dove?", "Perché?"

In this lesson, you will learn how to use essential Italian interrogative adverbs to ask questions effectively. We focus on key question words such as Dove? (Where?), Quale? (Which?), Che cosa? (What?), and Perché? (Why?). These words help you form basic questions about location, choice, information, and reasons.

Key Question Words and Examples

  • Dove? asks about place or location. For example, Dove vivi? means "Where do you live?" or Dove si trova l'università? which is "Where is the university?"
  • Quale? asks about a selection or specific choice. For example, Quale è il tuo lavoro? means "Which is your job?" or In quale università studi?, meaning "In which university do you study?"
  • Che cosa? asks for information or object. For instance, Che cosa vuoi cenare? translates to "What do you want for dinner?" or Che cosa vuoi fare domani? meaning "What do you want to do tomorrow?"
  • Perché? asks for reason or purpose, such as in Perché ti dedichi all'ingegneria? meaning "Why do you dedicate yourself to engineering?" or Perché studi l'italiano? which means "Why do you study Italian?"

Usage Notes

The word Perché can be used both to introduce questions and to answer them. This versatility is an important feature to remember.

Comparing Italian and English Interrogatives

Italian question words often correspond closely with English ones but may differ in placement and formality. For example, Quale corresponds to "Which" but is also used in contexts where English might simply use "What kind of."
Unlike English, Italian usually places the question word at the beginning of the sentence and follows with a normal subject-verb order, which might feel more flexible and natural when constructing questions.

Useful phrases:
Dove lavori di solito? – Where do you usually work?
Quale film preferisci? – Which movie do you prefer?
Perché studi? – Why do you study?

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 15/07/2025 13:20