dove
/ˈdo.ve/
The English word 'where' is translated into Italian as dove.
dove is used as an adverb to ask about or refer to the place in which something is or happens. It also functions as a noun to mean 'the place in which something happens'.
Meaning: at or in what place (adv)
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which distinguishes between 'where' (location) and 'whither' (direction), Italian uses dove for both. To express 'from where' or 'where from', use the preposition da before dove.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈdo.ve/.
Did you know?
- Italian speakers sometimes use dove to refer to a specific 'spot' or 'point' in a figurative sense, such as the exact moment a story reaches its climax.
- The Latin ancestor of dove was actually the phrase dē ubi, which translates to 'from where' or 'whence'.
- In poetic or very formal Italian, you might encounter the older form ove, which lacks the initial 'd' found in dove.
Examples in context
- Lo so dove sei.I know where you are.This sentence shows how to use dove to indicate a person's location.Tatoeba #3114787 by Guybrush88, translation #2376474 by CK
- Sa dove va Tom?Do you know where Tom is going?This sentence illustrates using dove to ask about a destination or direction.Tatoeba #3546296 by Guybrush88, translation #3384882 by CK
- Dove ti fa male?Where does it hurt?This sentence demonstrates using dove to ask for a specific point of physical pain.Tatoeba #395954 by Pharamp, translation #37512 by CK
- Scusi, dov'è la stazione?Excuse me, where is the train station?
- Dov'è il bagno, per favore?Where is the bathroom, please?
- Sai dov'è il ristorante che ti avevo menzionato?Do you know where the restaurant I mentioned is?
- 5799 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are looking for a restaurant in the city.
- MartinaDove possiamo mangiare stasera?Where can we eat tonight?
- LorenzoConosci un buon ristorante qui vicino?Do you know a good restaurant near here?
- MartinaNon sono sicura, dove hai visto l'annuncio?I am not sure, where did you see the advertisement?
- LorenzoL'ho visto su internet.I saw it on the internet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “where” translations and entries dove, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dove, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
