dove sei?
/ˈdo.ve ˈsɛj/word by word
dove sei? is the Italian phrase for "where are you?"
This phrase is a question used to ask about a person's current physical location.
What does it mean word for word?
dove means "where" and sei is the second-person singular form of the verb essere, which means "to be".
Which one should you use?
You may also use Dove ti trovi? to ask specifically where someone is located. When addressing more than one person, use dove siete? instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Piedmont, Dove te stai? is commonly used instead of dove sei?
How does it change in a sentence?
Use dove siete? when asking more than one person where they are.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈdo.ve ˈsɛj/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Dove sei?Where are you?
- Dove ti trovi adesso?Where are you now?
- Dove sei? Sono a casa.Where are you? I am at home.
- Ti ho cercato ovunque, dove sei?I looked for you everywhere, where are you?
Example conversation
Francesco is calling Chiara to find her in a crowded park.
- FrancescoChiara, non ti vedo, dove sei?Chiara, I don't see you, where are you?
- ChiaraSono vicino alla fontana, Francesco.I am near the fountain, Francesco.
- FrancescoTi vedo! Arrivo subito.I see you! I'm coming right now.
- ChiaraVa bene, ti aspetto.Okay, I'll wait for you.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (dove, sei) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dove, sei, CC BY-SA 4.0.
