Italian for Beginners: Asking 'What's in this?' and 'Does this have ___?'
Learn to ask what's inside a dish and whether it contains a specific ingredient in Italian, with common food vocabulary and polite questions.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you're curious about what's in a dish—not because you need to avoid something, but simply because you want to know—Italian gives you clear, simple ways to ask. In this lesson, you'll learn two essential questions: 'What is in this?' and 'Does this have ___?' You'll also pick up common ingredient words so you can ask about cheese, meat, nuts, and more. We'll focus on polite, everyday language you can use in restaurants, markets, or at a friend's table.
By the end, you can…
- ask what is in a dish using 'Cosa c'è in questo?'
- ask if a dish contains a specific ingredient using 'C'è ___ dentro?' or 'Questo ha ___?'
- name at least eight common ingredients in Italian.
- understand simple answers about ingredients.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Cosa c'è in questo?
What is in this?
KOH-zah cheh een KWEH-stoh
Use 'questo' for a masculine singular dish (e.g., un piatto). For a feminine dish (e.g., una pizza), say 'Cosa c'è in questa?'
C'è ___ dentro?
Is there ___ in it?
cheh ___ DEN-troh
Fill in the ingredient. 'Dentro' means 'inside'. This is a simple yes/no question.
Questo ha ___?
Does this have ___?
KWEH-stoh ah ___
Use 'ha' from the verb 'avere' (to have). For feminine nouns, use 'Questa ha ___?'
C'è formaggio?
Is there cheese?
cheh for-MAHD-joh
Common ingredient. Note the double 'g' sound: 'joh' like in 'joke'.
C'è carne?
Is there meat?
cheh KAR-neh
Use for any type of meat. For specific types, say 'carne di manzo' (beef), 'carne di maiale' (pork), etc.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'C'è' (there is) + ingredient + 'dentro?' (inside?). For example: 'C'è aglio dentro?' (Is there garlic in it?). To ask about multiple ingredients, use 'Ci sono' (there are): 'Ci sono noci dentro?' (Are there nuts in it?). You can also use 'avere': 'Questo ha cipolla?' (Does this have onion?). Remember that 'questo' changes to 'questa' for feminine nouns: 'Questa pizza ha pomodoro?' (Does this pizza have tomato?).
When to use it
Use these questions when you're simply curious about a dish's contents—not because you need to avoid something. For example, at a restaurant: 'Cosa c'è in questo primo?' (What's in this first course?). At a friend's house: 'C'è burro nella torta?' (Is there butter in the cake?). If you have a dietary restriction, you might need stronger phrases like 'Sono allergico a...' (I'm allergic to...), but this lesson focuses on polite curiosity. Always use a friendly tone; Italians are generally happy to explain their food.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Scusi, cosa c'è in questo piatto?
Excuse me, what is in this dish?SKOO-zee, KOH-zah cheh een KWEH-stoh PYAT-tohC'è pasta, pomodoro e formaggio.
There is pasta, tomato, and cheese.cheh PAS-tah, poh-moh-DOH-roh eh for-MAHD-johC'è carne dentro?
Is there meat in it?cheh KAR-neh DEN-trohNo, non c'è carne. È un piatto vegetariano.
No, there is no meat. It's a vegetarian dish.noh, non cheh KAR-neh. eh oon PYAT-toh veh-jeh-tah-RYAH-nohA little context goes a long way
In Italy, asking about ingredients is common and usually welcomed, especially if you show interest in the food. However, in formal settings like a restaurant, it's polite to start with 'Scusi' (Excuse me) or 'Per favore' (Please). If you're at someone's home, a simple 'Cosa c'è?' is fine. Note that regional cuisines vary greatly: what's standard in one region may be unusual in another. For example, 'pesto' is typical in Liguria, while 'nduja' is from Calabria. Always feel free to ask—Italians take pride in their local ingredients.
One thing to watch for
Using 'in questo' to mean 'in it' when asking about an ingredient, as in 'C'è formaggio in questo?'
Try this instead: While 'in questo' can be understood, it's more natural to use 'dentro' (inside) for 'in it': 'C'è formaggio dentro?' Alternatively, you can say 'Questo ha formaggio?' (Does this have cheese?). Use 'in questo' only when you mean 'in this [specific thing]', e.g., 'C'è formaggio in questo panino?' (Is there cheese in this sandwich?).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is there garlic in it?' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
C'è aglio dentro?
This uses the pattern 'C'è' + ingredient + 'dentro?'. 'Aglio' means garlic. You could also say 'Questo ha aglio?' but 'C'è aglio dentro?' is more common for 'in it'.
2Translate: 'Does this have onion?' (speaking about a feminine noun like 'pizza')
Show a sample answer
Questa ha cipolla?
Because 'pizza' is feminine, we use 'Questa' instead of 'Questo'. 'Ha' is the third-person singular of 'avere'. 'Cipolla' means onion.
3What is the Italian word for 'cheese'?
Show a sample answer
Formaggio
Formaggio is the standard word for cheese. Remember the pronunciation: for-MAHD-joh.
To ask what's in a dish, say 'Cosa c'è in questo/questa?' To ask if it contains a specific ingredient, use 'C'è ___ dentro?' or 'Questo/Questa ha ___?' Keep a friendly tone and you'll get helpful answers.
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