🇮🇹❌❓

How to Say ‘You're not Italian, are you?’ in Italian

Non sei italiano, vero?

nohn sigh ee-tah-LYAH-noh VEH-roh

[nohn sigh ee-tah-LYAH-noh VEH-roh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Your accent will usually give you away, and Italians often ask about it out of friendly curiosity. It's an easy conversation thread rather than a criticism.

Phrase Breakdown

Non sei italiano,

nohn sigh ee-tah-LYAH-noh

You're not Italian,

This is a negative statement with 'sei' (you are). Pause after it.

Example

Non sei stanco?

Aren't you tired?

Words in this phrase

Non

[nohn]

not

This word negates the verb that follows it.

Example

Non c'é nessuno.

There is no one.

sei

[sigh]

are

Second person singular present indicative of 'essere'.

Example

Sei pronto per uscire?

Are you ready to go out?

italiano

[ee-tah-LYAH-noh]

Italian

The Italian language (or an Italian person/thing).

Example

Studio italiano a scuola.

I study Italian at school.

vero?

VEH-roh

right?

This is a tag question, like 'right?' or 'are you?'. Stress: VÉ-ro, with a rising tone.

Example

Vieni anche tu, vero?

You're coming too, right?

Words in this phrase

vero

[VEH-roh]

right? (isn't it?)

Used at the end of a sentence as a tag question to ask for confirmation.

Example

Fa freddo oggi, vero?

It's cold today, isn't it?

Guides for Italian learners

Duolingo vs Busuu: Which Is Better for Actually Improving?Duolingo vs Busuu compared: a free gamified habit versus structured levels with corrections from native speakers. Which to choose, and when to use both.

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