come si dice
In Italian, how do you say is come si dice.
A phrase used to ask for the translation of a word or expression in another language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase come si dice literally translates to how one says it or how it is said.
Which one should you use?
You can use Come si dice in gergo if you are specifically asking for the slang or colloquial version of a word or phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the impersonal si construction, so it does not change based on whether you are talking to one person or many people.
Did you know?
- The structure come si dice is so common that it is often used by Italians as a filler phrase when they are struggling to remember a word mid-sentence.
- In Italian, asking come si dice is often accompanied by a slight shrug of the shoulders or a hand gesture to signal a gap in vocabulary.
- The word come in this phrase traces back to the Late Latin word quōmodo, which literally meant 'in what manner'.
Examples in context
- Come si dice 'polmone'?How do you say 'lung'?This sentence demonstrates how to ask for the translation of a specific word using come si dice.Tatoeba #4935701 by Guybrush88, translation #436115 by lukaszpp
- Come si dice in tedesco?How do you say that in German?This sentence shows how to ask how to say something in a specific language using come si dice.Tatoeba #4140611 by Guybrush88, translation #4140617 by Ooneykcall
- Come si dice XXX in olandese?How do you say XXX in Dutch?This sentence illustrates the structure for asking how to say a specific term in Dutch using come si dice.Tatoeba #1860947 by Guybrush88, translation #388262 by Dorenda
- Scusi, come si dice "thank you" in italiano?Excuse me, how do you say "thank you" in Italian?
- Si dice "grazie".You say "grazie".
- Ciao, come si dice "hello" in gergo?Hi, how do you say "hello" in slang?
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are studying Italian together in a cafe.
- FrancescoScusa Martina, come si dice 'apple' in italiano?Excuse me Martina, how do you say 'apple' in Italian?
- MartinaSi dice 'mela'.You say 'mela'.
- FrancescoGrazie mille per l'aiuto!Thanks a lot for the help!
- MartinaPrego, Francesco!You're welcome, Francesco!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries come, si, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
