a chi di dovere
/a ki di doˈve.re/word by word
The English phrase "to whom it may concern" can be translated into Italian as a chi di dovere. Wiktionary also lists all'attenzione di.
Meaning: phrase used to begin a formal letter to an unknown recipient (prep_phrase)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| a chi di dovere | /a ki di doˈve.re/ (word by word) |
| all'attenzione di |
a chi di dovere is a prepositional phrase used to begin a formal letter when the specific recipient is completely unknown.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, a chi di dovere translates to "to whom of duty" or "to the one who has the duty".
Which one should you use?
a chi di dovere is used when the recipient is completely unknown. In contrast, use all'attenzione di when you know the specific department or office you are writing to.
How do you pronounce it?
/a ki di doˈve.re/. The stress is on the 2nd of 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- If you use a chi di dovere when you actually know the name of the person, you may appear unintentionally cold or even slightly dismissive in a professional Italian context.
- In highly bureaucratic Italian documents, a chi di dovere can function as a header for a certification or a recommendation letter rather than just a greeting.
- While a chi di dovere handles the unknown, Italians often use the phrase Egregio Signore or Gentile Signora when they know the gender but not the name of the recipient.
Examples in context
- All'Ufficio Competente, Desidero richiamare la vostra attenzione sulla seguente questione…To the Competent Office, I wish to draw your attention to the following matter…
- Deve indirizzare il reclamo a chi di dovere.He must address the complaint to whom it may concern.
Example conversation
Martina is helping Lorenzo write a formal letter.
- MartinaLorenzo, non conosci il nome del destinatario?Lorenzo, you don't know the name of the recipient?
- LorenzoNo, non so chi leggerà questa lettera.No, I don't know who will read this letter.
- MartinaAllora scrivi 'a chi di dovere' all'inizio.Then write 'to whom it may concern' at the beginning.
- LorenzoGrazie Martina, ora lo faccio.Thanks Martina, I'll do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “to whom it may concern” translations and entries a chi di dovere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (a, chi, di, dovere) and can differ in connected speech.
