A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "How do you say" in Italian
Ask how to say something in Italian with this essential phrase. Perfect for language learners.
Come si dice
KOH-meh see DEE-chehneutral
Italian TTS · 0:01
Use this when you're trying to learn a new word or phrase in Italian. For example, if you see an object and want to know its name, or if you want to ask how to express a specific concept.
Alternatives
- Come lo dici?Use this if you're talking to someone you know well and use 'tu' with.
- Come lo dice?Use this if you're talking to someone you use 'Lei' with (formal).
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'dice' with 'dire'
Remember 'si dice' means 'it is said' or 'one says', not just 'to say'.
Pronouncing 'dice' like 'dice' (game)
The 'c' in 'dice' is soft, like 'ch' in 'church', not hard like 'k'.
A small cultural note
Italians are generally very encouraging of foreigners trying to speak their language, so don't be shy about asking!
Frequently asked
how do you say 'thank you' in italian?
You would ask 'Come si dice 'thank you' in italiano?'. The answer is 'grazie'.
what's the difference between come si dice and come lo dici?
'Come si dice' is the general, neutral way to ask. 'Come lo dici' is more personal, used when addressing someone directly with 'tu'.
can i use come si dice for anything?
Yes, this phrase is very versatile. You can use it to ask for the Italian word for any object, action, or concept.
How do you ask "how do you say" in Italian?
To ask "how do you say" in Italian, you can use the phrase "Come si dice?".
How do you say "how do you say" in Italian slang?
In informal or slang contexts, you might hear variations like "Come lo dici?" which is a more direct translation.
How do you say "how do you say" in Italian pronunciation?
The pronunciation of "Come si dice?" is roughly KOH-meh see DEE-cheh.
How do you say hello in Italian?
To say hello in Italian, you can use "Ciao" for informal situations or "Salve" for a more general greeting.
