Ways of saying the word 'What': Che vs Cosa

I am having difficulty choosing the word for WHAT.

For example - Che tempo fa :  What is the weather like?

                           Cosa fanno i tuoi:   What are your parents doing?

Guidance please.

Ciao Barbara, 

In Italian, both "che" and "cosa" can be used to mean "what," but they are used in different contexts.

1. **"Che"**: This is often used in questions when asking about the nature or quality of something specific. It's typically used before nouns or adjectives.

   - **Example**: "Che tempo fa?" (What is the weather like?)
   - **Usage**: Here, "che" is asking about the condition or state of the weather.

2. **"Cosa"**: This is a more general term for "what" and can be used in a broader range of situations. It's often used before verbs or in more general questions.

   - **Example**: "Cosa fanno i tuoi?" (What are your parents doing?)
   - **Usage**: In this case, "cosa" is asking about the action or activity of the parents.

So, in summary:

- Use "che" when asking about the nature or quality of something specific.
- Use "cosa" for more general questions about actions, activities, or things in general.

I hope this helps clarify the difference between "che" and "cosa" when expressing "what" in Italian! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! :) 

Sometimes it is used together Che cosa vuoi / Che cosa stai dicendo… so what's the go there?

Ciao Boney,

Thanks for joining the conversation! Let's explore the combined usage of "che" and "cosa" in Italian.

When "che" and "cosa" come together, they form the phrase "che cosa," offering another way to express "what" in Italian. This combination adds emphasis or specificity to the question or statement.

Here's how it works:

1. **"Che cosa vuoi?"**: This is a more emphatic or formal way of asking "What do you want?" It's commonly used in situations where you're seeking clarification or when expressing curiosity in a direct manner.

2. **"Che cosa stai dicendo?"**: Similarly, this phrase adds emphasis to the question "What are you saying?" It's often used when you didn't hear or understand something clearly and you're asking the speaker to repeat or clarify.

In both cases, "che cosa" is used to add emphasis or clarity to the question or statement. While "che" and "cosa" can be used individually in various contexts, combining them into "che cosa" provides a stronger or more specific expression of "what."

I hope this explanation clarifies the usage of "che cosa" in Italian! If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.

Best regards,
Enxhi Rocket Italian Tutor