come sei?
/ˈko.me ˈsɛj/word by word
The English phrase "what are you like" is translated into Italian as come sei?
A question used to ask someone to describe their personality or general character.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase is pronounced /ˈko.me ˈsɛj/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using che cosa sei? to ask about someone's personality. English speakers might mistakenly use 'che cosa sei?' to ask about personality, but this actually asks for a person's identity or species (e.g., 'What are you? A human or a robot?').
Did you know?
- To ask someone what they are like physically rather than their personality, Italians use the phrase come sei fatto? or come sei fatta?, which literally means 'how are you made?'
- If you answer come sei? by saying you are una persona solare, you are literally calling yourself a 'solar person' to mean you have a bright and cheerful personality.
- In Italian, describing someone as simpatico does not mean they are 'sympathetic' in the English sense, but rather that they are likeable, charming or funny.
Examples in context
- Sono una persona molto solare.I am a very sunny/cheerful person.
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are getting to know each other on a first date.
- MartinaVoglio conoscerti meglio, come sei?I want to get to know you better, what are you like?
- AlessandroSono una persona molto tranquilla.I am a very calm person.
- MartinaDavvero? Sembri molto energico.Really? You seem very energetic.
- AlessandroSì, ma sono timido all'inizio.Yes, but I am shy at first.
