e tu?
/ˈe ˈtu/word by word
The phrase e tu? is how you say "how about you" in Italian.
The most common way to ask "How about you?" informally is e tu?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the conjunction e (and) and the subject pronoun tu (you).
Which one should you use?
Use e Lei? instead of e tu? when speaking to someone in a formal context, such as a stranger, a superior or an elder.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Venetian dialect, E a ti? is a way to ask "How about you?"
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing more than one person, use e voi? instead of e tu?
Did you know?
- In high-formality Italian, using e tu? instead of e Lei? can be perceived as a deliberate social snub or a way to assert dominance over the other person.
- The formal version e Lei? uses a capitalised 'L' in written Italian to show respect. This is not just a stylistic choice but a way to signify the formal 'you' used for strangers or elders.
- The word tu is a direct descendant of the Proto-Indo-European root *túh₂, making it a linguistic sibling to the English 'thou' and the French tu.
Examples in context
- Io ho fame. E tu?I'm hungry. How about you?This sentence is useful for expressing hunger and asking the question using e tu?Tatoeba #4433055 by Guybrush88, translation #2354171 by Hybrid
- Sono russo; e tu?I'm Russian. How about you?This sentence is useful for stating nationality and asking the question using e tu?Tatoeba #13493590 by Guybrush88, translation #13485998 by rul
- Odio cucinare. E tu?I hate cooking. How about you?This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for cooking and asking the question using e tu?Tatoeba #8379326 by Guybrush88, translation #5101911 by Ricardo14
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are talking about their weekends.
- LorenzoIo vado al cinema sabato. E tu?I am going to the cinema on Saturday. How about you?
- MartinaIo resto a casa a leggere.I am staying home to read.
- LorenzoSembra rilassante!That sounds relaxing!
- MartinaSì, ne ho bisogno.Yes, I need it.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (e, tu) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries e, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
