How to Ask for Someone's Opinion Politely in Italian
Learn elementary Italian phrases for asking what someone thinks, including formal and informal ways to invite another person's view without giving your own.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Asking for someone's opinion is a core conversation skill. In Italian, the most common question is 'Che ne pensi?', but its form changes with formality, region and context. This lesson teaches you how to invite another person's view politely. It does not teach how to state your own opinion; the focus is only on eliciting someone else's. You will learn informal and formal questions, a neutral alternative, and a gentle way to ask for a reaction.
By the end, you can…
- ask an informal peer 'What do you think?' in Italian.
- ask a formal or unfamiliar person for their opinion politely.
- use a neutral alternative when I am unsure about formality.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Che ne pensi?
What do you think?
keh neh PEHN-see
Informal singular; use with friends, family, classmates and people you call tu. The little word ne means 'about it' and is required.
Che ne pensa?
What do you think?
keh neh PEHN-sah
Formal singular; use with strangers, older people, officials, or anyone you address as Lei. The verb ending changes from -i to -a.
Che ne pensate?
What do you think?
keh neh pehn-SAH-teh
Plural; use when asking two or more people together, whether you would address them individually as tu or voi.
Tu che dici?
What do you say?
too keh DEE-chee
Informal and slightly more conversational; common when inviting a quick reaction or decision from a friend.
Lei che ne pensa?
What do you think?
lay keh neh PEHN-sah
Formal with the subject pronoun Lei added for clarity or emphasis. The pronoun is often omitted because the verb already shows formality.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 'Che ne pensi/pensa/pensate?'. The word che means 'what', ne means 'about it', and pensi, pensa or pensate means 'you think'. The ending shows who you are asking: -i for informal singular tu, -a for formal singular Lei, -te for plural voi. Examples: 'Che ne pensi?' to a friend; 'Che ne pensa?' to a professor; 'Che ne pensate?' to a group. Do not drop ne, because 'Che pensi?' sounds incomplete in this meaning.
When to use it
Use 'Che ne pensi?' with people you already address as tu. Use 'Che ne pensa?' with someone you address as Lei, such as a shop assistant, an official, or an older acquaintance. Use 'Che ne pensate?' for a group. 'Tu che dici?' is informal and works well when you want a quick reaction: 'Tu che dici, andiamo?' In southern Italy you may also hear 'Che ne dici?' in informal speech, but 'Che ne pensi?' is the standard neutral choice.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Ho trovato un ristorante nuovo vicino alla stazione. Che ne pensi?
I found a new restaurant near the station. What do you think?oh troh-VAH-toh oon ree-stoh-RAHN-teh NWOH-voh vee-CHEE-noh AH-lah staht-TSYOH-neh. keh neh PEHN-seeSembra interessante. Ma tu che dici, proviamo stasera?
It sounds interesting. But what do you say, shall we try it tonight?SEHM-brah een-teh-rehs-SAHN-teh. mah too keh DEE-chee, proh-VYAH-moh stah-SEH-rahVa bene. E per il vino, che ne pensi?
All right. And about the wine, what do you think?vah BEH-neh. eh pehr eel VEE-noh, keh neh PEHN-seeNon so. Chiediamo al cameriere: Lei che ne pensa?
I don't know. Let's ask the waiter: what do you think?nohn soh. kyeh-DYAH-moh ahl kah-meh-RYEH-reh: lay keh neh PEHN-sahA little context goes a long way
Italian has tu and Lei, and the choice is social, not just grammatical. With peers, family and children, use tu and 'Che ne pensi?'. With strangers, older people, customers or officials, use Lei and 'Che ne pensa?'. In shops and offices, staff may address you with Lei first. If someone uses tu with you, you can usually reply with tu. In parts of southern Italy, 'Che ne dici?' is common informally, but 'Che ne pensi?' is understood everywhere.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Che pensi?' and leaving out ne, or using 'Che ne pensi?' with a professor or official.
Try this instead: Include ne: 'Che ne pensi?' means 'What do you think about it?' For formal situations, change the verb to the Lei form: 'Che ne pensa, professore?' Do not use the informal tu form with someone you address as Lei.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You want to ask your close friend what they think about a film. Which phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
Che ne pensi?
This uses the informal tu form pensi, which fits a close friend. 'Che ne pensa?' would be too formal here, and 'Che ne pensate?' would ask a group.
2You are speaking to an official you address as Lei. How do you ask 'What do you think?'
Show a sample answer
Che ne pensa?
The ending -a marks the formal Lei form. Adding the pronoun is also possible: 'Lei che ne pensa?' The informal 'Che ne pensi?' would be inappropriate in this context.
3You want to ask three classmates together for their view. Which form is correct?
Show a sample answer
Che ne pensate?
The ending -te addresses more than one person, so it fits a group. 'Che ne pensi?' would address only one person informally.
To ask for an opinion politely in Italian, use 'Che ne pensi?' with tu, 'Che ne pensa?' with Lei, and 'Che ne pensate?' with a group. Keep ne in the question, and match the verb ending to the person you are asking.
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