Significado
Asking about the purpose of something.
Contexto cultural
Italians value 'concretezza' (concreteness). If something is purely decorative without a function, it might be seen as 'fumo' (smoke/useless). The phrase is a staple of interaction with the state. It expresses the citizen's confusion over redundant procedures. In design schools in Milan, 'A che serve?' is the fundamental question that balances 'forma' (form) and 'funzione' (function). In the South, the phrase can be used more rhetorically to express a fatalistic view that some actions are futile.
The 'A' is Key
Always remember the 'A'. Without it, the phrase sounds like 'What serves?' which is incomplete.
Watch the Tone
If you say it too sharply, it can sound like you're saying 'This is useless!'.
Significado
Asking about the purpose of something.
The 'A' is Key
Always remember the 'A'. Without it, the phrase sounds like 'What serves?' which is incomplete.
Watch the Tone
If you say it too sharply, it can sound like you're saying 'This is useless!'.
Plural Check
If you point to two things, say 'A che servono?'. It makes you sound much more fluent.
The Shrug
In Italy, this phrase is often accompanied by a shoulder shrug and palms facing up.
Teste-se
Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.
___ che serve questo attrezzo?
In Italian, 'servire' (to be useful) always takes the preposition 'a' when asking about purpose.
Change the verb 'servire' to the plural form.
A che _______ (servire) questi occhiali?
Since 'occhiali' (glasses) is plural, the verb must be in the third-person plural form 'servono'.
Match the question to the most likely situation.
1. A che serve questo tasto? 2. A che serve studiare la storia? 3. A che serve questo ombrello?
The context of the object (button, history, umbrella) determines the situation.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Marco: 'Guarda questo strano oggetto!' Giulia: '___________?' Marco: 'Serve per aprire le noci.'
Giulia is asking about the purpose of the 'strano oggetto' (strange object).
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exercicios___ che serve questo attrezzo?
In Italian, 'servire' (to be useful) always takes the preposition 'a' when asking about purpose.
A che _______ (servire) questi occhiali?
Since 'occhiali' (glasses) is plural, the verb must be in the third-person plural form 'servono'.
1. A che serve questo tasto? 2. A che serve studiare la storia? 3. A che serve questo ombrello?
The context of the object (button, history, umbrella) determines the situation.
Marco: 'Guarda questo strano oggetto!' Giulia: '___________?' Marco: 'Serve per aprire le noci.'
Giulia is asking about the purpose of the 'strano oggetto' (strange object).
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, they are 100% interchangeable. 'A che serve?' is slightly more common in spoken Italian.
No, it's rude. Use 'Di cosa ti occupi?' or 'Qual è il tuo ruolo?'.
Start with 'Serve per...' followed by an infinitive (e.g., 'Serve per tagliare').
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Because the verb 'servire' requires the preposition 'a' to indicate the purpose.
Only if you mean 'For what purpose?'. If you mean 'For what reason?', use 'Perché?'.
Just point and say 'A che serve questo?'.
Yes: 'A che è servito?' (What was it for / What was the use?).
Yes, if you see a strange utensil or a garnish you don't recognize.
No, 'A che serve?' can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Frases relacionadas
Non serve a niente
contrastIt's useless / It's for nothing
A cosa serve?
synonymWhat is it for?
Servizio
builds onService / Utility
Utile
similarUseful
