Italian Phrase
Hai già cenato?
Meaning
Literally “Have you already dined?” It is used to check whether someone has already eaten dinner. The presence of *già* adds the nuance of “by now” or “already”.
When to use
Use this phrase in the early evening, after the typical Italian dinner time (8‑9 pm), or before you invite someone to eat. It works both in casual conversation with friends and in slightly more formal settings such as a family gathering.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Haigiàcenato
Hai (avere)
Second‑person singular present of the auxiliary verb *avere*, used to form the passato prossimo.
già
Adverb meaning “already”; placed before the past participle in affirmative statements.
cenato (passato prossimo)
Past participle of *cenare* (to have dinner). With *avere* it creates the perfect tense: *hai cenato* = “you have dined”.
Question formation
Italian yes‑no questions can be formed by simple intonation rise; the written form adds a question mark without changing word order.
🗨In Conversation
Hai già cenato?
Have you already had dinner?
Sì, ho appena finito. E tu?
Yes, I just finished. And you?
✕Common Mistakes
Sei già cenato?
The auxiliary for *cenare* is *avere*, not *essere*.
Hai già cenare?
Use the past participle *cenato* with *avere*; *cenare* is the infinitive.
Hai già cena?
You need the past participle *cenato* to express a completed action.
↔Alternatives
Hai già mangiato?
Have you already eaten?
Hai già finito di cenare?
Have you already finished dinner?
Stai per cenare?
Are you about to have dinner?
Cultural Tip
In Italy dinner is usually the main meal of the day and is served later than in many other countries, often around 8‑9 pm. It’s common etiquette to ask if someone has already eaten before offering food or inviting them to the table, as it shows consideration for their schedule and appetite.