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Italian Phrase

Queste cose sono per uso personale?

/ˈkwɛste ˈkose ˈsono per ˈuso perˈsoneˈla.le/
Meaning"Are these things for personal use?"
💡

Meaning

The speaker is asking whether the items in question are intended for personal, non‑commercial use. It can be a polite way to verify a product’s intended purpose before buying or using it.

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When to use

Use this question in a shop, at work, or when reading a product label to confirm that something is meant for private use only, such as cosmetics, chemicals, or software licenses.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Questecosesonoperusopersonale?

1

Queste (demonstrative adjective)

Used before a plural feminine noun to mean 'these'. It agrees in gender and number with the noun.

2

cose (noun)

A feminine plural noun meaning 'things' or 'items'.

3

sono (verb essere)

Third‑person plural present of 'to be', linking the subject to its description.

4

per (preposition)

Introduces purpose or intended use; here it means 'for'.

5

uso (noun)

Masculine singular meaning 'use' or 'usage'.

6

personale (adjective)

Singular masculine form because it modifies the singular noun 'uso'. It means 'personal'.

🗨In Conversation

A

Queste cose sono per uso personale?

Are these things for personal use?

Sì, sono solo per uso personale, non per rivendere.

Yes, they are for personal use only, not for resale.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Queste cose sono di uso personale?

    The preposition 'di' is rarely used in this context; 'per' correctly expresses purpose.

  • Queste cose sono per uso personali?

    Because 'uso' is singular, the adjective must stay singular (personale).

↔Alternatives

  • Queste cose sono destinate all'uso personale?

    Are these things intended for personal use?

  • Questi oggetti sono per uso privato?

    Are these objects for private use?

  • Queste cose vanno usate solo a livello personale?

    Should these things be used only on a personal level?

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Cultural Tip

In Italy, many product labels, especially for chemicals, cosmetics, and software, carry the phrase "per uso personale" to indicate that the item must not be used commercially. When you see this wording, retailers may ask you this exact question to ensure compliance with regulations. The tone is usually neutral and polite; avoid sounding accusatory.