Italian Phrase
Cosa cerchi?
Meaning
Literally ‘What are you looking for?’, this question can refer to a concrete object (e.g., a book, a key) or a more abstract goal (e.g., a job, a solution). It is direct but neutral in tone.
When to use
Use it when you notice someone searching, in a shop to help a customer, or in casual conversation when you want to know what the other person needs or wants.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cosacerchi?
Cosa (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' and can stand alone at the beginning of a question.
cerchi (present indicative)
Second‑person singular form of cercare ‘to look for’; the subject ‘tu’ is implied.
Subject omission
Italian often drops the subject pronoun; the verb ending tells you who is speaking.
Question word order
Unlike English, Italian does not require inversion; the interrogative word simply starts the sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Cosa cerchi?
What are you looking for?
Sto cercando il libro di cucina di Giada De Laurentiis.
I’m looking for Giada De Laurentiis’s cookbook.
✕Common Mistakes
Che cerchi?
‘Che’ alone does not form a correct interrogative; you need ‘Cosa’ or ‘Che cosa’.
Cosa cercate?
‘Cercate’ is second‑person plural; use ‘cerchi’ when speaking to one person.
Cosa cerchi tu?
Adding ‘tu’ is grammatically possible but sounds redundant in everyday speech.
↔Alternatives
Che cosa stai cercando?
What are you looking for? (more explicit progressive)
Che cosa vuoi?
What do you want?
Cosa ti serve?
What do you need?
Cultural Tip
In a shop or public place Italians often soften the question with a polite formula: “Mi scusi, cosa sta cercando?” (formal) or “Scusa, cosa cerchi?” (informal). Using just “Cosa cerchi?” with a harsh tone can sound abrupt, so watch your intonation and body language.