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Italian Phrase

Puoi spiegarmi i requisiti?

/ˈpwɔi spjeɡaˈrmi i reˈkwiziti/
Meaning"Can you explain the requirements to me?"
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Meaning

A polite request meaning ‘Can you explain the requirements to me?’ It is used when you need clarification about conditions, specifications, or criteria in a professional, academic, or everyday context.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you are discussing a project brief, a job posting, a university assignment, or any situation where the exact requirements need to be clarified. It works well in informal settings; switch to the formal *Può* when speaking with a superior or someone you don’t know well.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Puoispiegarmiirequisiti?

1

Puoi (potere)

Second‑person singular present of *potere*, used to ask for permission or ability. In requests it works like ‘can you…’.

2

spiegarmi

Infinitive *spiegare* + indirect object pronoun *mi* (to me). The pronoun is attached to the infinitive.

3

i (definite article)

Plural masculine definite article, required before *requisiti*.

4

requisiti

Plural noun meaning ‘requirements’ or ‘criteria’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Puoi spiegarmi i requisiti?

Can you explain the requirements to me?

Certo, ti mando il documento con tutti i dettagli.

Sure, I’ll send you the document with all the details.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Puoi spiegare i requisiti?

    Missing the indirect object pronoun *mi*; you need to indicate ‘to me’.

  • Puoi spiegarmi i requisito?

    The noun must agree in number; *requisiti* is plural, so the article and noun must be plural too.

  • Può spiegarmi i requisiti?

    Use *Può* only in formal contexts; with friends or peers it sounds overly stiff.

↔Alternatives

  • Mi potresti spiegare i requisiti?

    Could you explain the requirements to me?

  • Potresti chiarirmi i requisiti?

    Could you clarify the requirements for me?

  • Può spiegarmi i requisiti?

    Can you (formal) explain the requirements to me?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian the level of formality is crucial. *Puoi* is informal (you, singular) and is appropriate with peers or colleagues you know well. In a business or academic setting with a professor, manager, or client, use the formal *Può* and the pronoun *mi* stays the same: *Può spiegarmi i requisiti?* Also, remember that *spiegare* always takes an indirect object pronoun (mi, ti, gli, le, ci, vi, gli).