Italian for Intermediate Learners: Asking Clarifying Questions with 'Cosa vuoi dire?'
Learn to ask what someone means in Italian using cosa vuoi dire, in che senso, and related phrases that keep a conversation going without pretending you understood.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
At intermediate level, the fastest way to improve is to stop nodding when you have not understood. Italian has a small set of natural, polite phrases for asking someone to clarify what they mean. In this lesson you will learn how to ask 'What do you mean by...?', how to check which sense of a word is intended, and how to ask for a concrete example. The focus is on understanding the other person's meaning, not on confirming that you already agree or understand. All phrases are standard contemporary Italian; where usage differs regionally, that is noted.
By the end, you can…
- ask what someone means using 'Cosa vuoi dire?' and 'In che senso?'
- ask for a concrete example or a clearer explanation without sounding rude
- clarify which meaning of a word or expression is intended
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Cosa vuoi dire?
What do you mean?
KOH-zah vwoy DEE-eh
Standard informal question to a person you address as tu. Very common in conversation. For formal lei, say 'Cosa vuole dire?'.
In che senso?
In what sense? / What do you mean by that?
een keh SEN-soh
Asks which meaning is intended. Works in both informal and formal contexts; tone decides whether it sounds neutral or slightly skeptical.
Cosa intendi con questa parola?
What do you mean by this word?
KOH-zah een-TEN-dee kon KWEH-stah pah-ROH-lah
Useful when a single word is unclear. Formal version: 'Cosa intende con questa parola?'.
Puoi farmi un esempio?
Can you give me an example?
pwoy FAR-mee oon eh-ZEM-pyoh
Asks for a concrete case. Polite and natural with tu; with lei use 'Può farmi un esempio?'.
Non ho capito bene, puoi spiegare?
I didn't quite understand, can you explain?
non oh kah-PEE-toh BEH-neh, pwoy spyeh-GAH-reh
Signals partial understanding and invites a fuller explanation. Softer than saying 'Non ho capito' alone.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is a question word plus a form of 'voler dire' or 'intendere'. 'Cosa vuoi dire?' literally asks 'What do you want to say?', but in Italian it means 'What do you mean?'. To specify the item, add 'con' plus a noun: 'Cosa vuoi dire con questa frase?' (What do you mean by this sentence?). 'In che senso?' is shorter and asks which sense is intended: 'In che senso è difficile?' (In what sense is it difficult?). For a word, 'Cosa intendi con...?' is precise and slightly more formal in feel.
When to use it
Use these questions when the meaning, not the volume or speed, is the problem. If you simply did not hear, say 'Come?' or 'Puoi ripetere?'. If you heard the words but not the point, use 'In che senso?' or 'Cosa vuoi dire?'. With a professor, official, or older stranger, switch to the lei forms: 'Cosa vuole dire?', 'Cosa intende con...?', 'Può farmi un esempio?'. In friendly discussion you may also hear 'Cosa vorresti dire?', which is standard and polite.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Secondo me questo progetto è troppo ambizioso.
In my opinion this project is too ambitious.seh-KON-doh meh KWEH-stoh proh-JET-toh eh TROH-poh am-beet-TSYOH-zohIn che senso? Non ho capito bene.
In what sense? I didn't quite understand.een keh SEN-soh, non oh kah-PEE-toh BEH-nehVoglio dire che ci servono più tempo e più persone.
I mean that we need more time and more people.VOH-lyoh DEE-eh keh chee SER-voh-noh pyoo TEM-poh eh pyoo per-SOH-nehAh, ora è chiaro. Puoi farmi un esempio concreto?
Ah, now it's clear. Can you give me a concrete example?ah, OH-rah eh KYAH-roh. pwoy FAR-mee oon eh-ZEM-pyoh kon-KREH-tohA little context goes a long way
Italian conversation often uses 'In che senso?' with a rising tone to invite explanation, but the same words with a flat or falling tone can sound challenging or skeptical. If you want to keep the exchange friendly, soften with 'Scusa, in che senso?' or 'Non ho capito bene, in che senso?'. In formal situations, the lei forms 'Cosa vuole dire?' and 'Può spiegarmi meglio?' are safer than the tu forms.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Cosa vuoi dire?' with a professor, official, or someone you have just met.
Try this instead: Use the formal lei form: 'Cosa vuole dire?' or 'Cosa intende con...?'. For example, to a professor: 'Scusi, cosa intende con questa espressione?'. The tu form is fine with friends, family, and peers.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are talking with a friend and do not understand the point of their argument. Which short question asks what they mean?
Show a sample answer
In che senso?
This asks which sense is intended and fits informal conversation. 'Cosa vuoi dire?' is also correct and equally natural with a friend.
2You need a formal way to ask a professor what she means by a term. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Cosa intende con questo termine?
This uses the formal lei form of 'intendere' and names the item with 'con'. 'Cosa vuole dire con questo termine?' is also acceptable in formal speech.
3You understood the words but want a concrete case. Which phrase do you use?
Show a sample answer
Puoi farmi un esempio?
This asks for an example and is polite with tu. With lei, say 'Può farmi un esempio?'. 'Mi fai un esempio?' is a more informal alternative.
When meaning is unclear, ask directly: 'In che senso?' or 'Cosa vuoi dire?'. Match tu or lei to the relationship, and ask for an example when you need something concrete.
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