quand'è il tuo compleanno?
The English phrase "when is your birthday?" is translated into Italian as quand'è il tuo compleanno?
This phrase is a question used to ask someone for the date on which they were born.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quando (when), è (is), il tuo (your) and compleanno (birthday).
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask the question using the formal 'you' (Lei), replace il tuo with il suo.
Did you know?
- In some regions of Italy, it is common to celebrate the 'onomastico', which is the feast day of the saint you are named after, sometimes with as much importance as a birthday.
- The word compleanno is a partial calque of the Spanish word cumpleaños, blending a Spanish structure with the Italian word anno for 'year'.
- While the phrase asks for a date, Italians typically respond using the formula il followed by the number and the month, such as il dieci maggio.
Examples in context
- Il mio compleanno è il dieci maggio.My birthday is May 10th.
- Scusa, quand'è il tuo compleanno?Excuse me, when is your birthday?
- Non lo so, quand'è il tuo compleanno?I don't know, when is your birthday?
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are chatting at a cafe.
- GiuliaLorenzo, quand'è il tuo compleanno?Lorenzo, when is your birthday?
- LorenzoIl mio compleanno è il dieci maggio.My birthday is May tenth.
- GiuliaChe bello, è un giorno speciale!How nice, it is a special day!
- LorenzoGrazie, Giulia!Thanks, Giulia!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries compleanno, il, tuo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
