Italian for English speakers Zoo · Lesson 5

I don't understand

Ask 'what do you mean?' in Italian — Aspetta, cosa intendi dire? (Wait, what do you mean?).

Conversation

  1. Cassian Cassian

    Voglio comprare una scimmia!

    I want to buy a monkey!

  2. PX296 PX296

    Un attimo. Cosa intendi?

    One moment. What do you mean?

    Tip: <intendo> = I mean <intendi> = you mean

  3. Cassian Cassian

    Intendo un pupazzo di peluche

    I mean a stuffed animal.

    Tip: <pupazzo> = toy/ doll/ puppet <peluche> = plush/ stuffed

  4. PX296 PX296

    Aaaah, di peluche!

    Aaaah, a stuffed one!

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you say 'what do you mean?' in Italian?

Cosa intendi dire? or Cosa vuoi dire? (informal). Intendere = to mean/intend. Vuoi dire = literally 'do you want to say'.

What does aspetta mean?

'Wait' — imperative of aspettare (tu form). Aspetti (Lei form). Polite: aspettare un attimo = wait a moment.

How do you say 'I want to buy ...'?

Voglio comprare + noun (direct). Vorrei comprare + noun (polite). Comprare = to buy.