Sei tu?
/ˈsɛj ˈtu/word by word
In Italian, "are you" is translated as Sei tu?
This phrase is used as a question to ask if a person is the specific individual the speaker is looking for or expecting.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Sei tu? is composed of the second-person singular form of the verb essere (to be) and the pronoun tu (you).
Which one should you use?
You may encounter Tu sei which can be used to provide an assertive tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the formal you (Lei) to ask if someone is the person expected, the phrase changes to È lei?
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsɛj ˈtu/
Did you know?
- The word sei is a homonym in Italian, as it is also the word for the number 'six'.
- The pronoun tu is inherited from the Proto-Indo-European root *túh₂, making it a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'thou'.
- If you use the formal È lei? in a casual setting, such as among teenagers, you might actually sound sarcastic or distant.
Examples in context
- Chi diavolo sei tu?Who on earth are you?This sentence shows how to use Sei tu? when expressing surprise or frustration.Tatoeba #4463649 by Guybrush88, translation #66254 by CM
- Chi sei tu? Cosa stai facendo qui?Who are you? What're you doing here?This sentence uses Sei tu? in a context where someone's identity and actions are being questioned.Tatoeba #3573642 by Guybrush88, translation #3567876 by CK
- Chi sei tu?Who are you?This sentence is a simple way to ask for someone's identity using Sei tu?Tatoeba #2708387 by Guybrush88, translation #356200 by yorickvidal
- Come sta?How are you?
- Sei pronto?Are you ready?
- Sei italiano?Are you Italian?
- Tu sei felice?Are you happy?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (sei, tu) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sei, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
