Signification
Asking about someone's destination.
Contexte culturel
In Rome, the phrase is often shortened to ''Ndo vai?'. It's a hallmark of the 'Romanesco' dialect and is used ubiquitously in local cinema and daily life. The phrase is eternally linked to the 'Quo Vadis' legend of St. Peter. There is even a church in Rome called 'Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis' where the encounter supposedly happened. In the South, asking 'Dove vai?' can be part of a longer, more elaborate greeting. It's often followed by questions about the family. On Italian social media and WhatsApp, 'Dove vai?' is often used as a caption for travel photos or stories, sometimes shortened to just 'Dove?' with a location pin emoji.
Add 'di bello'
Always add 'di bello' when asking friends. it makes you sound 10x more like a native speaker.
Watch the 'Lei'
If you're talking to someone over 60, always use 'Dove va?'. Using 'vai' can be seen as a lack of respect.
Signification
Asking about someone's destination.
Add 'di bello'
Always add 'di bello' when asking friends. it makes you sound 10x more like a native speaker.
Watch the 'Lei'
If you're talking to someone over 60, always use 'Dove va?'. Using 'vai' can be seen as a lack of respect.
Don't expect a map
Italians often answer vaguely. 'In giro' (around) is a perfectly acceptable answer.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask a friend where they are going.
Ciao Luca, ______ vai?
'Dove' is the Italian word for 'where'.
Choose the correct formal version of the question.
Asking a professor where they are going:
'Va' is the formal (Lei) third-person singular form of 'andare'.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Dove vai di bello? B: __________________
The question 'Dove vai?' requires an answer with the first-person 'Vado' (I go).
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Which phrase fits a Roman street with a close friend?
''Ndo vai?' is the casual Roman dialect version of 'Dove vai?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where are you going? (By Subject)
Informal (Tu)
- • Dove vai?
Formal (Lei)
- • Dove va?
Plural (Voi)
- • Dove andate?
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesCiao Luca, ______ vai?
'Dove' is the Italian word for 'where'.
Asking a professor where they are going:
'Va' is the formal (Lei) third-person singular form of 'andare'.
A: Dove vai di bello? B: __________________
The question 'Dove vai?' requires an answer with the first-person 'Vado' (I go).
Which phrase fits a Roman street with a close friend?
''Ndo vai?' is the casual Roman dialect version of 'Dove vai?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, for that you use 'Dove abiti?'. 'Dove vai?' is only for movement.
Yes, it covers both the habitual 'Where do you go?' and the immediate 'Where are you going?'.
Start with 'Vado...' followed by your destination (e.g., 'Vado a casa', 'Vado al lavoro').
It's a very casual, Roman way of saying 'Dove vai?'. Use it only with close friends in Rome.
Expressions liées
Dove vai di bello?
specialized formWhere are you going (somewhere nice)?
Dove va?
specialized formWhere are you going? (Formal)
Dove andate?
specialized formWhere are you (plural) going?
Da dove vieni?
contrastWhere do you come from?
Dove sei?
similarWhere are you?
