come state
The English phrase "how are you all" is translated into Italian as come state.
come state is a greeting used to ask a group of people about their well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of come (how) and state (the second-person plural present indicative of stare, meaning to stay or to be in a certain state/condition).
Which one should you use?
While come state is used for a group, come sta is used when addressing a single person formally or a single person in the third person.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form come state uses the second-person plural informal conjugation of the verb stare, making it appropriate for addressing a group of friends, family or peers. Adding the subject pronoun voi (you all) to come state is grammatically correct but often optional in Italian, as the verb ending already indicates the plural subject.
Did you know?
- The verb stare in come state is the same root used to describe the state of a 'statue', reflecting the idea of remaining still or fixed in a condition.
- The word state shares its roots with the English word 'estate', suggesting a connection between one's condition and a sense of being or property.
- If you want to sound even more casual than come state, you can omit the verb entirely and simply say tutto bene? which means 'all well?' to the same group.
Examples in context
- Come state voi tutti?How are you all?This sentence is useful for practicing the form come state in a more complete sentence.Tatoeba #12228731 by Guybrush88, translation #914019 by Jane_Austen
- Come state tutti?How are you all doing?This sentence is useful for practicing the form come state with the word "tutti".Tatoeba #1923167 by Guybrush88, translation #1885959 by CK
- Ciao ragazzi, come state?Hi guys, how are you all?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia arrives at a small cafe where Matteo and his friends are sitting.
- GiuliaCiao a tutti, come state?Hi everyone, how are you all?
- MatteoCiao Giulia, stiamo molto bene, grazie.Hi Giulia, we are doing very well, thanks.
- GiuliaSono contenta di sentirlo!I am happy to hear that!
- MatteoE tu come stai?And how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries come, state, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
