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Italian Phrase

Stai usando questa macchina?

/stai uˈzando ˈkwesta ˈmakːina/
Meaning"Are you using this car?"
💡

Meaning

The speaker is asking whether the listener is currently using this particular car (or machine). It focuses on the present moment, not on habitual use.

🎯

When to use

Use this sentence when you want to check if someone is occupying a vehicle, a piece of equipment, or any object you refer to as 'macchina' at this exact moment – for example in a garage, a rental office, or a shared workspace.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Staiusandoquestamacchina?

1

Stare + gerundio

The construction 'stai usando' is the present progressive, formed with the verb 'stare' + gerund of the main verb to express an action happening right now.

2

Demonstrative adjective

'questa' agrees in gender and number with 'macchina' (feminine singular) and means 'this'.

3

Question intonation

In spoken Italian the rising intonation at the end of the sentence signals a yes/no question; the written question mark is optional in informal speech.

🗨In Conversation

A

Scusa, stai usando questa macchina?

Excuse me, are you using this car?

Sì, la sto guidando verso il centro.

Yes, I'm driving it to the city centre.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Sei usando questa macchina?

    Use 'stai' (the present of 'stare') for the progressive; 'sei' is the present of 'essere' and does not form the progressive.

  • Questa macchina è usata?

    This changes the meaning to 'Is this car used?' rather than asking who is currently using it.

  • Stai usato questa macchina?

    The past participle 'usato' cannot follow 'stai' – you need the gerund 'usando'.

↔Alternatives

  • Stai guidando questa macchina?

    Are you driving this car?

  • Stai usando questo veicolo?

    Are you using this vehicle?

  • Mi stai usando questa macchina?

    Are you using this car (for me)?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, politeness is key. Adding 'Scusa' or 'Mi scusi' before the question softens it, especially when you’re asking a stranger. Also, Italians often prefer the simple present 'Usi questa macchina?' in informal contexts, but the progressive 'Stai usando…' sounds more immediate and natural when you want to stress that the action is happening right now.