Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Che significa?' to ask for the definition of a word or phrase you don't understand during a conversation.
- Means: What does it mean?
- Used in: Classrooms, casual chats, or when reading signs.
- Don't confuse: Don't use 'Che significa' for 'What are you doing?' (Che fai?).
شرح بمستواك:
المعنى
Asking for the definition of a word.
خلفية ثقافية
People might use 'Cosa vuol dire?' more frequently than 'Che significa?' in casual settings. The tone is often more expressive; the question might be accompanied by hand gestures. In formal settings, using the full 'Cosa significa questo termine?' is preferred.
Use it often
Don't be afraid to ask. Italians love to explain their language.
Don't use for people
Never use 'Che significa' to ask about a person's character.
Use it often
Don't be afraid to ask. Italians love to explain their language.
Don't use for people
Never use 'Che significa' to ask about a person's character.
Add 'questo'
Say 'Che significa questo?' to be very clear.
اختبر نفسك
Select the correct way to ask for a definition.
____ 'casa'?
Use 'Che significa' to ask for the meaning of a word.
Complete the sentence.
Non capisco questa parola. ____?
The context is not understanding a word, so we use the definition question.
Match the question to the intent.
Che significa?
This phrase is specifically for definitions.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ho visto un cartello con scritto 'Vietato'. B: ____?
B wants to know the meaning of the sign.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
5 تمارين____ 'casa'?
Use 'Che significa' to ask for the meaning of a word.
Non capisco questa parola. ____?
The context is not understanding a word, so we use the definition question.
طابق كل عنصر على اليسار مع زوجه على اليمين:
This phrase is specifically for definitions.
A: Ho visto un cartello con scritto 'Vietato'. B: ____?
B wants to know the meaning of the sign.
🎉 النتيجة: /5
الأسئلة الشائعة
8 أسئلةYes, it is neutral and polite enough for professional settings.
No, it is a very helpful and polite way to learn.
You can say 'Puoi ripetere?' (Can you repeat?).
Yes, it works for both words and physical actions.
Yes, they are 100% interchangeable.
The 'gn' is a special Italian sound like the 'ny' in 'canyon'.
Yes, it is very common in texting.
Yes, it is one of the first phrases you should learn.
عبارات ذات صلة
Cosa vuol dire?
synonymWhat does it mean?
Cosa intendi?
similarWhat do you mean?
Spiegami
builds onExplain to me
أين تستخدمها
Classroom
Student: Professore, che significa 'obbligatorio'?
Street
Tourist: Scusi, che significa questo cartello?
Texting
Friend: Che significa quell'emoji?
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Think of 'Sign' (significa) in the word. You are looking for the 'sign' of the word.
ربط بصري
Imagine a giant question mark hovering over a dictionary.
Rhyme
Che significa? Don't panic, just ask it!
Story
Marco is reading a book. He sees a word he doesn't know. He stops, looks at his friend, and asks: 'Che significa?' His friend explains it, and Marco learns something new.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire?' in French or '¿Qué significa?' in Spanish.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Ask 'Che significa?' for 5 new words today.
Review in 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days.
النطق
Hard 'k' sound.
The 'gn' is like 'onion'.
طيف الرسمية
Potrebbe indicarmi il significato di questo termine? (General inquiry)
Che significa questo termine? (General inquiry)
Che vuol dire? (General inquiry)
Che significa 'sta roba? (General inquiry)
Derived from Latin 'significare', a compound of 'signum' (sign) and 'facere' (to make).
حقيقة ممتعة
The word 'sign' is a distant cousin of 'significa'.
ملاحظات ثقافية
People might use 'Cosa vuol dire?' more frequently than 'Che significa?' in casual settings.
“Cosa vuol dire questo?”
The tone is often more expressive; the question might be accompanied by hand gestures.
“Che significa, eh?”
In formal settings, using the full 'Cosa significa questo termine?' is preferred.
“Cosa significa questo termine tecnico?”
بدايات محادثة
I saw a word in a book, 'Che significa...?'
I heard a new slang word, 'Che significa...?'
I don't understand this sign, 'Che significa...?'
أخطاء شائعة
Che significa tu?
Che significa questa parola?
L1 Interference
Che significo?
Che significa?
L1 Interference
Che è il significato?
Che significa?
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
¿Qué significa?
Pronunciation of the 'que' vs 'che'.
Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire?
French is more verbose than the direct Italian 'Che significa'.
Was bedeutet das?
German word order is strictly V2.
どういう意味ですか？ (Dōiu imi desu ka?)
Japanese is noun-based, Italian is verb-based.
ماذا يعني هذا؟ (Madha ya'ni hadha?)
Arabic grammar requires specific gender agreement for the object.
Spotted in the Real World
“Che significa questo?”
A character is confused by a strange event.
“Qualcuno mi spiega che significa questo trend?”
Asking about a viral trend.
“Che significa che non puoi venire?”
A character is questioning someone's excuse.
سهل الخلط
Learners confuse 'Che significa' (meaning) with 'Che fai' (action).
Use 'significa' for words, 'fai' for actions.
Learners use 'Che significa' to ask 'Why'.
Use 'Perché' for reasons.
Learners mix up asking for a definition vs asking for a translation.
'Come si dice' is for 'How do you say X in Italian'.
الأسئلة الشائعة (8)
Yes, it is neutral and polite enough for professional settings.
usage contextsNo, it is a very helpful and polite way to learn.
basic understandingYou can say 'Puoi ripetere?' (Can you repeat?).
practical tipsYes, it works for both words and physical actions.
usage contextsYes, they are 100% interchangeable.
comparisonsThe 'gn' is a special Italian sound like the 'ny' in 'canyon'.
grammar mechanicsYes, it is very common in texting.
usage contextsYes, it is one of the first phrases you should learn.
basic understanding
