capisci?
In Italian, the phrase "do you understand" is expressed as capisci?
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone comprehends what has been said. It is a conjugated form of the infinitive verb capire, which means "to understand".
Which one should you use?
The form capisci? is used in informal settings, whereas capisce? or ha capito? are used in formal situations. If you are addressing a group of two or more people, use capite? For a very short, blunt and informal way to say "understood?" or "got it?", you can use the past participle capito?
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb capisci? is a conjugated form of the infinitive capire. To ask a group of people if they understand, use the plural form capite? To express that you do not understand, you can say non capisco.
When do people say it?
If someone asks you capisci?, you can answer "yes, I understand" by saying Sì, capisco. or "no, I don't understand" by saying No, non capisco.
Did you know?
- In very informal settings, you might hear capito il gioco?, which literally means 'did you understand the game?' but is used to ask if someone understands the hidden motive or the real situation.
- While 'capire' means 'to understand', the related noun capiente describes a container that has a large capacity, such as a 'capacious' bag.
- The word capace meaning 'capable' shares the same root as capire, as both relate to the 'capacity' of the head to hold information.
Examples in context
- Capisci?Do you understand?This example shows the basic question.Tatoeba #1539405 by Guybrush88, translation #403063 by Ramses
- Mi capisci?Do you understand me?This example shows how to ask if someone understands you.Tatoeba #615192 by Guybrush88, translation #403046 by Ramses
- La capisci?Do you understand her?This example shows how to ask if someone understands her.Tatoeba #4358582 by Guybrush88, translation #1369197 by sacredceltic
- Scusi, capisce le istruzioni?Excuse me, do you understand the instructions?
- Amico, capisci cosa sto dicendo?Friend, do you understand what I'm saying?
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara is explaining a game to Matteo.
- ChiaraPrima devi lanciare il dado, capisci?First you have to roll the die, do you understand?
- MatteoSì, è molto semplice.Yes, it is very simple.
- ChiaraE poi muovi la pedina, capisci?And then you move the piece, do you understand?
- MatteoHo capito tutto, Chiara!I understood everything, Chiara!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
