Understanding how to express “for what” in Italian is crucial for asking about reasons and purposes. This guide provides a detailed exploration of the various ways to translate this phrase, covering grammar rules, usage examples, and common mistakes.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this article will equip you with the knowledge to confidently and accurately use these expressions in your Italian conversations, improving your comprehension and fluency.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “For What” in Italian
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of “For What”
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Introduction
Expressing the idea of “for what” is fundamental in any language, as it allows us to inquire about the purpose or reason behind an action or statement. In Italian, several options are available, each with its own nuance and level of formality.
Mastering these expressions will significantly improve your ability to understand and participate in meaningful conversations. This article will guide you through the various ways to say “for what” in Italian, providing clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises.
This guide is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners who are just starting to explore Italian grammar to more advanced students who wish to refine their understanding and usage of these expressions. By the end of this article, you will have a solid grasp of how to ask “for what” in various contexts and be able to choose the most appropriate phrase for any given situation.
This knowledge will not only enhance your communication skills but also deepen your appreciation for the richness and complexity of the Italian language.
Definition of “For What” in Italian
The English phrase “for what” is used to ask about the reason, purpose, or cause of something. In Italian, this can be expressed in several ways, depending on the context and the level of formality desired. The most common translations include perché, a che cosa, per che cosa, and per cosa. Each of these options carries slightly different connotations and is used in specific situations.
Perché is the most common and versatile translation, primarily meaning “why.” While it directly translates to “why” in English, it effectively serves the same purpose as “for what” when inquiring about the reason behind an action or statement. A che cosa and per che cosa are more formal and literal translations, directly asking “to what thing” or “for what thing,” respectively. Per cosa is a more informal and contracted version of per che cosa, suitable for everyday conversations. Finally, A che scopo is a more precise translation, meaning “for what purpose,” and is used when specifically inquiring about the intended objective of an action. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the most appropriate expression for any given situation, enhancing your communication skills and conveying your intended meaning with greater accuracy.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of “for what” questions in Italian varies depending on the chosen expression. Understanding these structural patterns is essential for forming grammatically correct and natural-sounding questions.
Perché is typically placed at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the verb and then the subject, if explicitly stated. For example: Perché studi l’italiano? (Why do you study Italian?). The word order can sometimes be inverted for emphasis or stylistic variation, but the basic structure remains consistent.
A che cosa and per che cosa also typically start the sentence, followed by the verb and subject. For example: A che cosa serve questo libro? (What is this book for?). The preposition (a or per) is crucial and cannot be omitted. The phrase che cosa can sometimes be replaced with cosa, resulting in a slightly more informal tone. For instance: Per cosa lo fai? (For what do you do it?).
Per cosa is a more contracted and informal version, often used in spoken Italian. It maintains the same structure as per che cosa, but the contraction makes it sound more casual. For example: Per cosa hai bisogno di aiuto? (For what do you need help?).
A che scopo, meaning “for what purpose,” is used when specifically inquiring about the intended objective. The structure is similar to the other expressions, with a che scopo at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the verb and subject. For example: A che scopo fai questo? (For what purpose are you doing this?).
Types and Categories of “For What”
There are several ways to express “for what” in Italian, each with its own nuance and level of formality. Understanding these different options is crucial for choosing the most appropriate expression for any given situation.
Perché – Why
Perché is the most common and versatile translation, primarily meaning “why.” It is used to ask about the reason or cause of something. While it directly translates to “why” in English, it effectively serves the same purpose as “for what” when inquiring about the reason behind an action or statement. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
A che cosa / Per che cosa – For What (Formal)
A che cosa and per che cosa are more formal and literal translations, directly asking “to what thing” or “for what thing,” respectively. They are used in more formal settings or when a more precise and direct question is desired. A che cosa is often used when asking about the purpose or function of something, while per che cosa is used when asking about the reason or motivation behind an action.
Per cosa – For What (Informal)
Per cosa is a more informal and contracted version of per che cosa, suitable for everyday conversations. It is commonly used in spoken Italian and is considered more casual than a che cosa or per che cosa. It is used to ask about the reason or motivation behind an action in a more relaxed setting.
A che scopo – For What Purpose
A che scopo is a more precise translation, meaning “for what purpose,” and is used when specifically inquiring about the intended objective of an action. It is often used in situations where the speaker wants to understand the specific goal or aim of something. It is considered more formal than perché or per cosa but less formal than a che cosa or per che cosa.
Examples
The following sections provide extensive examples of how to use each of the different expressions for “for what” in Italian. Each section includes a table with numerous examples to illustrate the usage in various contexts.
Examples with Perché
Perché is the most common and versatile way to ask “why” or “for what” in Italian. The following table provides examples of its usage in different contexts.
| Italian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Perché studi italiano? | Why do you study Italian? |
| Perché sei triste? | Why are you sad? |
| Perché hai comprato questa macchina? | Why did you buy this car? |
| Perché non vieni alla festa? | Why aren’t you coming to the party? |
| Perché dici questo? | Why do you say this? |
| Perché lo fai? | Why do you do it? |
| Perché sei in ritardo? | Why are you late? |
| Perché piangi? | Why are you crying? |
| Perché hai scelto questo libro? | Why did you choose this book? |
| Perché hai bisogno di aiuto? | Why do you need help? |
| Perché sei arrabbiato? | Why are you angry? |
| Perché non mi hai chiamato? | Why didn’t you call me? |
| Perché hai cambiato idea? | Why did you change your mind? |
| Perché sei stanco? | Why are you tired? |
| Perché hai mentito? | Why did you lie? |
| Perché sei partito? | Why did you leave? |
| Perché hai detto questo? | Why did you say that? |
| Perché sei qui? | Why are you here? |
| Perché hai scelto di venire? | Why did you choose to come? |
| Perché sei così felice? | Why are you so happy? |
| Perché hai fatto questo? | Why did you do this? |
| Perché sei preoccupato? | Why are you worried? |
| Perché hai deciso così? | Why did you decide like that? |
| Perché sei silenzioso? | Why are you silent? |
| Perché hai bisogno di questo? | Why do you need this? |
Examples with A che cosa
A che cosa is a more formal way to ask “for what” in Italian, often used when inquiring about the purpose or function of something. The following table provides examples of its usage in different contexts.
| Italian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| A che cosa serve questo strumento? | What is this tool for? |
| A che cosa è utile questa informazione? | What is this information useful for? |
| A che cosa ti riferisci? | What are you referring to? |
| A che cosa pensi? | What are you thinking about? |
| A che cosa è destinato questo denaro? | What is this money intended for? |
| A che cosa aspiri? | What do you aspire to? |
| A che cosa serve studiare? | What is the use of studying? |
| A che cosa è dovuta questa situazione? | What is this situation due to? |
| A che cosa si deve la tua visita? | To what do we owe your visit? |
| A che cosa è paragonabile questo? | What is this comparable to? |
| A che cosa alludi? | What are you alluding to? |
| A che cosa è legato questo problema? | What is this problem related to? |
| A che cosa conduce questa strada? | Where does this road lead to? |
| A che cosa mira questo progetto? | What does this project aim at? |
| A che cosa è servito tutto questo sforzo? | What was all this effort for? |
| A che cosa ti serve questo? | What do you need this for? |
| A che cosa dobbiamo questa fortuna? | To what do we owe this luck? |
| A che cosa è finalizzato questo corso? | What is this course aimed at? |
| A che cosa sei interessato? | What are you interested in? |
| A che cosa ti dedichi? | What do you dedicate yourself to? |
| A che cosa somiglia questo? | What does this resemble? |
| A che cosa si riferisce questa legge? | What does this law refer to? |
| A che cosa è diretto questo messaggio? | Who is this message directed to? |
| A che cosa ti aspetti? | What are you expecting? |
| A che cosa è dovuto questo cambiamento? | What is this change due to? |
Examples with Per che cosa
Per che cosa is another formal way to ask “for what” in Italian, similar to a che cosa. The following table provides examples of its usage in different contexts.
| Italian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Per che cosa hai bisogno di questo? | For what do you need this? |
| Per che cosa lo fai? | For what do you do it? |
| Per che cosa sei venuto qui? | For what did you come here? |
| Per che cosa ti preoccupi? | For what are you worried? |
| Per che cosa hai studiato tanto? | For what did you study so much? |
| Per che cosa hai speso tutti i tuoi soldi? | For what did you spend all your money? |
| Per che cosa hai fatto questo sacrificio? | For what did you make this sacrifice? |
| Per che cosa hai rinunciato a tutto? | For what did you give up everything? |
| Per che cosa hai lottato tanto? | For what did you fight so much? |
| Per che cosa hai mentito? | For what did you lie? |
| Per che cosa hai accettato questo lavoro? | For what did you accept this job? |
| Per che cosa hai cambiato idea? | For what did you change your mind? |
| Per che cosa hai deciso di partire? | For what did you decide to leave? |
| Per che cosa hai comprato questa casa? | For what did you buy this house? |
| Per che cosa hai detto quelle parole? | For what did you say those words? |
| Per che cosa hai chiesto aiuto? | For what did you ask for help? |
| Per che cosa hai fatto questa scelta? | For what did you make this choice? |
| Per che cosa hai dato questo consiglio? | For what did you give this advice? |
| Per che cosa hai fatto questa domanda? | For what did you ask this question? |
| Per che cosa hai scelto questo percorso? | For what did you choose this path? |
| Per che cosa hai studiato medicina? | For what did you study medicine? |
| Per che cosa hai fatto volontariato? | For what did you volunteer? |
| Per che cosa hai imparato questa lingua? | For what did you learn this language? |
| Per che cosa hai deciso di trasferirti? | For what did you decide to move? |
| Per che cosa hai iniziato questo progetto? | For what did you start this project? |
Examples with Per cosa
Per cosa is an informal and contracted version of per che cosa, suitable for everyday conversations. The following table provides examples of its usage in different contexts.
| Italian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Per cosa hai bisogno di aiuto? | For what do you need help? |
| Per cosa lo fai? | For what do you do it? |
| Per cosa sei qui? | For what are you here? |
| Per cosa ti preoccupi? | For what are you worried? |
| Per cosa studi? | For what do you study? |
| Per cosa lavori? | For what do you work? |
| Per cosa hai comprato questo? | For what did you buy this? |
| Per cosa piangi? | For what are you crying? |
| Per cosa sei arrabbiato? | For what are you angry? |
| Per cosa hai mentito? | For what did you lie? |
| Per cosa hai fatto questo? | For what did you do this? |
| Per cosa hai detto questo? | For what did you say this? |
| Per cosa hai scelto questo? | For what did you choose this? |
| Per cosa sei partito? | For what did you leave? |
| Per cosa hai deciso così? | For what did you decide like that? |
| Per cosa hai bisogno di questo? | For what do you need this? |
| Per cosa mi hai chiamato? | For what did you call me? |
| Per cosa hai cambiato idea? | For what did you change your mind? |
| Per cosa sei venuto qui? | For what did you come here? |
| Per cosa hai speso i soldi? | For what did you spend the money? |
| Per cosa hai fatto tutto questo? | For what did you do all this? |
| Per cosa hai rinunciato a tutto? | For what did you give up everything? |
| Per cosa hai accettato questo lavoro? | For what did you accept this job? |
| Per cosa hai fatto questa scelta? | For what did you make this choice? |
| Per cosa hai fatto questo sacrificio? | For what did you make this sacrifice? |
Examples with A che scopo
A che scopo is used to ask “for what purpose,” specifically inquiring about the intended objective of an action. The following table provides examples of its usage in different contexts.
| Italian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| A che scopo fai questo? | For what purpose are you doing this? |
| A che scopo studi medicina? | For what purpose are you studying medicine? |
| A che scopo hai comprato questa macchina? | For what purpose did you buy this car? |
| A che scopo hai detto questo? | For what purpose did you say this? |
| A che scopo hai fatto tutto questo? | For what purpose did you do all this? |
| A che scopo hai mentito? | For what purpose did you lie? |
| A che scopo hai accettato questo lavoro? | For what purpose did you accept this job? |
| A che scopo hai rinunciato a tutto? | For what purpose did you give up everything? |
| A che scopo hai fatto questo sacrificio? | For what purpose did you make this sacrifice? |
| A che scopo hai studiato tanto? | For what purpose did you study so much? |
| A che scopo hai imparato questa lingua? | For what purpose did you learn this language? |
| A che scopo hai chiesto aiuto? | For what purpose did you ask for help? |
| A che scopo hai deciso di partire? | For what purpose did you decide to leave? |
| A che scopo hai speso tutti i tuoi soldi? | For what purpose did you spend all your money? |
| A che scopo hai fatto questa scelta? | For what purpose did you make this choice? |
| A che scopo hai dato questo consiglio? | For what purpose did you give this advice? |
| A che scopo hai fatto questa domanda? | For what purpose did you ask this question? |
| A che scopo hai scelto questo percorso? | For what purpose did you choose this path? |
| A che scopo hai iniziato questo progetto? | For what purpose did you start this project? |
| A che scopo hai deciso di trasferirti? | For what purpose did you decide to move? |
| A che scopo hai fatto volontariato? | For what purpose did you volunteer? |
| A che scopo hai comprato questa casa? | For what purpose did you buy this house? |
| A che scopo ti sei iscritto a questo corso? | For what purpose did you enroll in this course? |
| A che scopo hai fatto questa donazione? | For what purpose did you make this donation? |
| A che scopo hai partecipato a questo evento? | For what purpose did you participate in this event? |
Usage Rules
Understanding the usage rules for each expression is crucial for using them correctly and appropriately. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:
- Perché is the most versatile and can be used in almost any context to ask “why.” It is suitable for both formal and informal situations.
- A che cosa and per che cosa are more formal and should be used in situations where a more precise and direct question is desired, such as in professional settings or when speaking to someone you don’t know well.
- Per cosa is informal and should be used in casual conversations with friends and family.
- A che scopo is used when specifically inquiring about the intended objective of an action. It is more formal than perché or per cosa but less formal than a che cosa or per che cosa.
- Pay attention to the word order. In most cases, the expression (perché, a che cosa, etc.) comes at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the verb and subject.
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes that learners make when using these expressions, along with corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| A che cosa fai? | Perché lo fai? / Per che cosa lo fai? | A che cosa is typically used to ask about the purpose or function of something, not the reason for doing something. |
| Per cosa studi italiano? | Perché studi italiano? | While per cosa is acceptable, perché is more common and natural-sounding in this context. |
| Che cosa fai questo? | Perché fai questo? / A che scopo fai questo? | The preposition is missing. It should be per che cosa or a che cosa. |
| A che scopo sei triste? | Perché sei triste? | A che scopo is used to ask about the purpose of an action, not the reason for a feeling. |
| Perché a che cosa? | Perché? / A che cosa? | This is redundant. Choose either perché or a che cosa, depending on the context. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Translate the following sentences into Italian using the appropriate expression for “for what.”
- Why are you learning Italian?
- What is this knife for?
- For what do you need my help?
- For what purpose did you buy this book?
- Why are you so happy?
- What are you thinking about?
- For what did you make this sacrifice?
- Why did you choose this job?
- For what purpose are you doing this project?
- What do you need this money for?
Answer Key:
- Perché studi l’italiano?
- A che cosa serve questo coltello?
- Per cosa hai bisogno del mio aiuto? / Per che cosa hai bisogno del mio aiuto?
- A che scopo hai comprato questo libro?
- Perché sei così felice?
- A che cosa pensi?
- Per che cosa hai fatto questo sacrificio?
- Perché hai scelto questo lavoro?
- A che scopo stai facendo questo progetto?
- A che cosa ti serve questo denaro?
More Exercises:
Choose the correct Italian translation for the following sentences:
| English | Option A | Option B | Option C | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Why are you crying? | A che cosa piangi? | Perché piangi? | Per cosa piangi? | B |
| What is this course for? | A che cosa è questo corso? | Perché è questo corso? | A che cosa serve questo corso? | C |
| For what did you lie? | Per cosa hai mentito? | A che scopo hai mentito? | Perché hai mentito? | A |
| For what purpose are you studying? | A che cosa studi? | A che scopo studi? | Per cosa studi? | B |
| Why did you leave? | Perché sei partito? | Per cosa sei partito? | A che cosa sei partito? | A |
| What do you need this for? | A che cosa hai bisogno di questo? | Per che cosa ti serve questo? | A che scopo ti serve questo? | B |
| For what are you worried? | A che cosa ti preoccupi? | Perché ti preoccupi? | Per cosa ti preoccupi? | C |
| For what did you decide to do this? | A che scopo hai deciso di fare questo? | Per cosa hai deciso di fare questo? | Perché hai deciso di fare questo? | A |
| What is this money intended for? | Per cosa è destinato questo denaro? | A che cosa è destinato questo denaro? | Perché è destinato questo denaro? | B |
| Why did you choose this path? | A che scopo hai scelto questo percorso? | Perché hai scelto questo percorso? | Per cosa hai scelto questo percorso? | B |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, it’s important to understand the subtle nuances and idiomatic expressions related to “for what” in Italian. One such nuance is the use of a dire il vero, which can sometimes imply “for what it’s worth” or “to be honest.” Another advanced topic is the use of subjunctive mood in certain contexts, which adds a layer of complexity to the questions.
Additionally, exploring regional variations in the usage of these expressions can further enhance your understanding. For instance, some regions might prefer per cosa over per che cosa more frequently. Finally, analyzing literary texts and films can provide valuable insights into the use of these expressions in authentic and creative contexts.
FAQ
- Is perché always the best translation for “for what”?
While perché is the most common and versatile option, it’s not always the best choice. A che cosa, per che cosa, per cosa, and a che scopo each have their own nuances and are more appropriate in certain contexts. Consider the level of formality and the specific meaning you want to convey.
- What is the difference between a
che cosa and per che cosa?
Both a che cosa and per che cosa are formal ways of saying “for what,” but they are used in slightly different contexts. A che cosa is often used to ask about the purpose or function of something, while per che cosa is used to ask about the reason or motivation behind an action. However, the difference is subtle, and they can often be used interchangeably.
- When should I use a che scopo?
Use a che scopo when you want to specifically inquire about the intended objective or goal of an action. It is more precise than simply asking “why” with perché.
- Is it okay to use per cosa in formal situations?
No, per cosa is an informal expression and should be reserved for casual conversations with friends and family. In formal situations, use a che cosa or per che cosa.
- How can I improve my understanding of these expressions?
Practice using these expressions in different contexts, listen to native speakers, and pay attention to how they use these phrases in conversations. Reading Italian literature and watching Italian films can also provide valuable insights.
Conclusion
Mastering the various ways to express “for what” in Italian is essential for effective communication. While perché is a versatile option, understanding the nuances of a che cosa, per che cosa, per cosa, and a che scopo will allow you to express yourself more precisely and appropriately in different contexts. By following the guidelines and practicing the exercises in this article, you can confidently use these expressions in your Italian conversations, enhancing your fluency and comprehension. Remember to consider the level of formality and the specific meaning you want to convey when choosing the most suitable translation. Happy learning!