fare domande
To ask questions in Italian is fare domande.
This phrase is used when you are requesting information from someone by posing a series of questions.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb fare (to do/make) and the noun domande (questions), literally meaning 'to make questions'.
Which one should you use?
While English uses the verb 'to ask', Italian uses the verb fare (to do/make) to express the act of posing a question.
How does it change in a sentence?
When asking a single question, use the singular form fare una domanda instead of the plural fare domande. To specify whom you are asking, use the preposition a before the person, such as in fare domande a Maria.
Did you know?
- The noun domanda comes from the Latin demandare, which is the ancestor of the English word 'demand'. In Italian, it remains a neutral word for a simple question.
- Italian distinguishes between fare domande (asking for information) and interrogare (to question). The latter is almost exclusively used for police interrogations or teachers testing students in class.
- The noun domanda is also the standard word for a 'request' or an 'application' in official contexts, such as a job application or a formal request for a permit.
Examples in context
- Va bene fare domande.It's OK to ask questions.This sentence shows that it is acceptable to ask questions.Tatoeba #9712722 by Guybrush88, translation #9479652 by DJ_Saidez
- Mi piace fare domande ai dottori.I like to ask questions to doctors.This sentence is useful for saying you like to ask questions to doctors.Tatoeba #4429127 by Guybrush88, translation #1762366 by Amastan
- Li incoraggiava a fare domande durante le lezioni.He encouraged them to ask questions during lessons.This sentence shows how to encourage someone to ask questions during lessons.Tatoeba #13246855 by Nuel, translation #13246853 by Nuel
- Mi permetta di fare una domanda?May I ask a question?
- Scusi, posso chiederle qualcosa?Excuse me, may I ask you something?
- Posso farti una domanda?Can I ask you a question?
- Posso chiederti qualcosa?Can I ask you something?
- Scusi, posso chiedere una cosa?Excuse me, can I ask you something?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are at a job interview.
- ChiaraPuò fare domande alla fine del colloquio.You can ask questions at the end of the interview.
- AlessandroGrazie, vorrei fare domande sullo stipendio.Thank you, I would like to ask questions about the salary.
- ChiaraCerto, Alessandro, pure ora può fare domande.Of course, Alessandro, you can ask questions now too.
- AlessandroAllora, vorrei sapere l'orario di lavoro.In that case, I would like to know the working hours.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
