Italian Phrase
Vieni a cenare con noi stasera?
Meaning
A friendly invitation asking the listener to join the speaker and others for dinner later that evening. The tone is informal but polite, suitable for friends, family, or close acquaintances.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to invite someone to a home‑cooked meal, a restaurant, or any dinner gathering that will take place that night. It works best in casual settings; for very formal occasions you might opt for a more elaborate invitation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vieniacenareconnoistasera
Vieni (imperative)
Second‑person singular imperative of the verb *venire* (to come).
a + infinitive
The preposition *a* introduces an infinitive to express purpose: ‘come to …’.
cenare (infinitive)
Infinitive of *cenare* meaning ‘to have dinner’.
con noi
Preposition *con* + pronoun *noi* = ‘with us’.
stasera
Adverb meaning ‘this evening’ or ‘tonight’.
🗨In Conversation
Ciao Marco, vieni a cenare con noi stasera?
Hey Marco, would you like to come have dinner with us tonight?
Sì, volentieri! A che ora?
Yes, gladly! What time?
✕Common Mistakes
Vieni a cena con noi stasera?
The infinitive must be *cenare*, not the noun *cena*.
Vieni a cenare con noi questa sera?
Both *stasera* and *questa sera* are correct, but *stasera* is more natural in spoken Italian.
Vieni a cenare con noi stasera!
A question mark is needed because it’s an invitation asking for a response.
↔Alternatives
Ti va di cenare con noi stasera?
Do you feel like having dinner with us tonight?
Vuoi unirti a noi per cena stasera?
Do you want to join us for dinner tonight?
Ci fai compagnia per cena questa sera?
Will you keep us company for dinner this evening?
Cultural Tip
In Italy dinner is usually served later than in many other countries, often around 8‑9 pm. Inviting someone to dinner is a common way to show hospitality and strengthen social bonds. If you’re invited, it’s polite to bring a small gift (like a bottle of wine) and to arrive a few minutes after the agreed time.