Interrogative Adverbs

Interrogative adverbs (avverbi interrogative) are adverbs which introduce a question. These adverbs are the same as the avverbi esclamativi, but they are used in questions rather than statements.

When questions are introduced with an interrogative adverb, the subject must follow the verb, with the exception of perché and come mai, where it can either follow or precede the verb.

These adverbs overlap with other adverbs in that they introduce questions which pertain in specific categories. Following are the categories under which we can file the respective interrogative adverbs:

Quality (qualità) come Come vorresti andare al mare? In treno o in macchina? How would you like to go to the beach? By train or by car? Come sta tua sorella? Si è sposata poco fa, no? How is your sister? She got married a little while ago, right? NB: You will also encounter come mai (how come) , which is an interrogative adverbial phrase. Come mai Pierluigi parte sempre per primo? How come Pierluigi always leaves first?

Place (luogo) dove Dov’è Vittoria? Where is Vittoria? Secondo te, dove posso comprare dei porcini freschi qui vicino? In your opinion, where can I buy fresh porcini mushrooms around here? di dove Di dove sono i tuoi parenti? Where are your relatives from?

Time (tempo) quando Quando hai preso l’ultima pastiglia? When did you take the last pill? Quando comincia la festa? When does the party start?

Quantity and Measure (quantità e misura) quanto Quanto costa? How much does it cost? Quanto hai mangiato? Sembra che tu non abbia mangiato proprio niente! How much did you eat? It seems like you didn’t eat anything!

Cause (causa) perché Tu sai perché Ciro ha litigato con Alessio? Do you know why Ciro had a fight with Alessio? Perché non partiamo questa sera? Why don’t we leave tonight? NB: Mai can be used to emphasize quando and perché. When used as an intensifier, mai can be translated in English as: on earth. Perché mai dovrei darti una mano a dipingere il cancello del giardino? Tu non mi aiuti mai! Why on earth should I give you a hand painting the garden gate? You never help me! Quando mai è stato facile cambiare il mondo? When has it ever been easy to change the world?