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Learn to ask fundamental questions in Italian using interrogatives like "Dove?" (Where?), "Quale?" (Which?), "Che cosa?" (What?), and "Perché?" (Why?), essential for everyday conversations.
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?)

Introduction to Italian Interrogatives: "Quale?", "Dove?", "Perché?"

This lesson focuses on essential Italian interrogative adverbs used to form questions, suitable for A1 learners beginning their journey into Italian grammar and vocabulary. Understanding how to ask questions using "Quale?", "Dove?", "Che cosa?", and "Perché?" enriches your ability to communicate clearly and interact naturally in everyday conversations.

Key Interrogative Adverbs and Usage

  • Dove? means "Where?" and is used to inquire about a place or location.
    Examples:
    "Dove vivi?" (Where do you live?)
    "Dove si trova l'università?" (Where is the university located?)
  • Quale? translates to "Which?" and helps to specify a choice among options.
    Examples:
    "Quale è il tuo lavoro?" (Which is your job?)
    "In quale università studi?" (At which university do you study?)
  • Che cosa? means "What?" and is used to ask about things, intentions, or actions.
    Examples:
    "Che cosa vuoi cenare?" (What do you want for dinner?)
    "Che cosa vuoi fare domani?" (What do you want to do tomorrow?)
  • Perché? means "Why?" and is utilized to ask reasons or causes behind an action or situation.
    Examples:
    "Perché ti dedichi all'ingegneria?" (Why do you dedicate yourself to engineering?)
    "Perché studi l'italiano?" (Why do you study Italian?)

How to Use "Perché" in Questions and Answers

The interrogative "Perché" can introduce both questions and responses. It is versatile in expressing curiosity about motives and explanations.

Differences Between Instruction Language (English) and Italian Interrogatives

In English, question words such as "Where?", "Which?", "What?", and "Why?" correspond directly to Italian "Dove?", "Quale?", "Che cosa?", and "Perché?" respectively, but note the nuances of usage. For example, "Quale?" emphasizes selection from options, similar to "Which?" in English, while "Che cosa?" is a more formal or explicit form of "What?" (often shortened to "Che?" in conversation). Additionally, Italian sometimes places interrogative adverbs slightly differently in sentence structure compared to English.

Useful Italian phrases:
Dove lavori di solito durante la settimana? (Where do you usually work during the week?)
Quale università frequenti per i tuoi studi? (Which university do you attend for your studies?)
Perché hai scelto di studiare ingegneria? (Why did you choose to study engineering?)

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 14:23