cosa c'è che non va?
In Italian, 'what is wrong?' is expressed as cosa c'è che non va?
This phrase is used as a question to ask someone why they appear upset or to inquire about a specific problem that is occurring.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cosa c'è che non va? literally translates to 'what is it that does not go?'
Which one should you use?
While cosa c'è che non va? specifically asks what is wrong or malfunctioning, the alternative che cosa c'è? is a more general way to ask 'what is it?' or 'what's happening?' Another common and slightly more concise way to ask 'what is wrong?' is che cosa non va?
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, cosa c'è che non va? can be used rhetorically to express annoyance, effectively meaning 'what is your problem?'
- The word cosa in the phrase comes from the Latin causa, which originally meant 'cause' or 'reason' rather than just 'thing'.
- If something is physically broken, an Italian might say non va to mean it is not working, even if the object is stationary and cannot 'go' anywhere.
Examples in context
- Cosa c'è? Hai avuto una brutta giornata?What's wrong? Did you have a bad day?
- Ti vedo triste, cosa c'è che non va?I see you are sad, what is wrong?
- Ti vedo molto triste, cosa c'è che non va?I see you are very sad, what is wrong?
- Il computer non si accende, cosa c'è che non va?The computer won't turn on, what is wrong?
- Hai un'aria strana, cosa c'è che non va?You look strange, what is wrong?
Example conversation
Chiara finds Alessandro sitting alone and looking upset in the living room.
- ChiaraAlessandro, sembri preoccupato, cosa c'è che non va?Alessandro, you look worried, what is wrong?
- AlessandroNon è nulla, Chiara, sono solo stanco.It is nothing, Chiara, I am just tired.
- ChiaraSei sicuro? Ti vedo davvero strano oggi.Are you sure? You look really strange today.
- AlessandroSì, promesso, tutto bene.Yes, I promise, everything is fine.
