How to Say ‘What is this?’ in Italian
Che cos'è questo?
keh kohs eh KWEH-stoh
[keh kohs eh KWEH-stoh]
💬 Usage Tip: [Cos'è] is a shortened form of [cosa è]. Italian often smooths vowel clashes like this in everyday speech and writing.
Phrase Breakdown
Che
[keh]
what
Question word used to ask for information or identification.
Che cos'è questo? è utile davanti a un piatto sconosciuto.
What is this? is useful in front of an unfamiliar dish.
cos'
[kohs]
what is
Shortened form of cosa è; together with che it helps ask what something is.
Che cos'è questo? lo chiedo se non conosco l'ingrediente.
What is this? I ask it if I do not know the ingredient.
è
[eh]
is
Third-person singular of essere.
Che cos'è questo? mi aiuta a capire il menu.
What is this? helps me understand the menu.
questo
[KWEH-stoh]
this
Demonstrative pronoun meaning this one or this thing.
Non so che cos'è questo nel piatto.
I do not know what this is on the plate.
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