Understanding how to ask "what does that mean in Italian" is one of the most practical skills a language learner can acquire. The standard translation is "Cosa significa quello?Whether you are navigating a menu in Rome, chatting with a language partner, or reading a classic novel, the ability to request clarification keeps the conversation flowing and accelerates your comprehension. ", but the Italian language offers a rich variety of ways to express this concept depending on context, formality, and exactly what you are trying to understand.
The Standard Translations: Formal vs. Informal
Italian distinguishes strictly between formal (Lei) and informal (tu) registers. Choosing the wrong one can sound rude or overly stiff, so mastering both versions of this question is essential Worth keeping that in mind..
Informal: Talking with Friends, Family, or Peers
When speaking with someone you know well, or someone your own age in a casual setting, use the tu form.
- "Cosa significa quello?" – What does that mean? (The most common, neutral way to ask).
- "Che vuol dire quello?" – What does that want to say? (Voler dire is extremely common in spoken Italian for "to mean").
- "Cosa significa?" – What does it mean? (Dropping quello when the object is obvious from context).
Formal: Talking with Strangers, Elders, or Professionals
In a shop, restaurant, business meeting, or when addressing an older person, switch to the Lei form (third person singular feminine).
- "Cosa significa quello?" – What does that mean? (Grammatically identical to informal because significare is third person, but the tone and context signal formality).
- "Che cosa vorrebbe dire quello?" – What would that mean? (Using the conditional vorrebbe softens the request, making it politer).
- "Potrebbe spiegarmi il significato?" – Could you explain the meaning to me? (Highly polite and professional).
Pro Tip: If you are unsure which register to use, default to the formal. It is always safer to be too polite than too familiar in Italian culture.
Breaking Down the Grammar
Understanding the mechanics behind the phrases helps you adapt them to different sentences rather than just memorizing static chunks.
1. Significare (To Signify / To Mean)
This is a regular -are verb. Because "that" (quello) is the subject performing the action of "meaning," the verb conjugates in the third person singular: significa.
- Quello significa "hello". (That means "hello".)
- Non so cosa significhi. (I don't know what it means – requires subjunctive after non so).
2. Voler dire (Literally: To Want to Say)
This is the workhorse of spoken Italian. It is an irregular verb (volere + infinitive).
- Che vuol dire? (What does it mean? – Very colloquial, often contracted to Che vò dì? in rapid speech).
- Cosa vuole dire? (Formal version).
3. The Pronouns: Quello, Questa, Questo
"That" changes based on gender and proximity.
- Quello (Masculine, singular, distant) – Cosa significa quello?
- Quella (Feminine, singular, distant) – Cosa significa quella parola?
- Questo / Questa (This – Masculine/Feminine, near) – Cosa significa questa frase?
- Quelli / Quelle (Plural) – Cosa significano quelle parole?
Contextual Variations: Asking About Specific Things
You rarely ask "what does that mean" in a vacuum. You are usually pointing at a word, a gesture, a sentence, or a concept. Italian prefers specificity Simple, but easy to overlook..
Asking About a Single Word
"Cosa significa [parola]?" Example: "Cosa significa 'allora'?" (What does "allora" mean?)
"Qual è il significato di [parola]?Still, " Example: "Qual è il significato di 'magari'? " (What is the meaning of "magari"? – Slightly more academic/formal).
Asking About a Phrase or Sentence
"Cosa vuol dire questa frase?" (What does this sentence mean?) "Come si traduce questo?" (How do you translate this? – Shifts focus to translation rather than definition) Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
Asking About a Gesture or Situation
Italians communicate heavily with hands. If someone makes a gesture you don't understand (like the famous finger purse), do not ask "Cosa significa quello?" pointing at their hand—it sounds like you are asking what the hand means biologically.
"Che significa questo gesto?" (What does this gesture mean?) "Cosa sta a indicare?" (What does that indicate/signal? – Good for ambiguous situations).
The Nuance of "Mean" in Italian: Significare vs. Voler dire vs. Intendere
English uses "mean" for definitions, intentions, and implications. Italian separates these concepts.
| English Context | Italian Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Definition (Dictionary meaning) | Significare | *"La parola 'casa' significa 'house'.In real terms, |
| Implication/Consequence | Significare / Comportare | "Piovere significa che non andiamo al mare. ) <br> "Non intendevo offendere." (What are you trying to say?<br> "Questo comporta dei rischi.In practice, " (I didn't mean to offend). Now, " |
| Intention (What you mean) | Voler dire / Intendere | "Cosa vuoi dire? " |
| Usage/Colloquial Meaning | Voler dire | "Quando dico 'boh', vuol dire che non lo so." (Raining means we aren't going to the beach). "* (This entails/involves risks). |
Common Learner Mistake: Translating "I mean..." (as a correction) as Io significo... Correction: Use "Voglio dire..." or "Intendevo dire..."
- Roma è la capitale... voglio dire, la città più grande. (Rome is the capital... I mean, the biggest city.)
Idiomatic Expressions and "Untranslatable" Words
Often, you ask "what does that mean" because the word has no direct English equivalent. Knowing how to ask for the nuance is vital.
Asking for Nuance
- "Qual è la sfumatura di questa parola?" (What is the nuance/shade of meaning of this word?)
- "C'è una differenza tra [Parola A] e [Parola B]?" (Is there a difference between [Word A] and [Word B]?)
- "Si usa in modo ironico?" (Is it used ironically?)
Famous "Hard to Translate" Words You Will Need to Ask About
You will inevitably encounter these. Be ready to ask *Come
