Italian Phrase
Certo, cosa vuoi?
Meaning
Literally “Sure, what do you want?” It is a friendly, informal way to confirm you’re ready to help and then ask the other person what they need or would like.
When to use
Use it in casual conversations with friends, family, or peers when you’re offering to do something for them. Avoid it in formal settings; replace with “Certo, che cosa desidera?” for a polite tone.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Certo,cosavuoi?
Certo (adverb)
Used to mean “sure” or “of course”; it can stand alone as a response or precede a clause.
cosa (interrogative pronoun)
Means “what”. In spoken Italian both “cosa” and “che cosa” are common; “cosa” is slightly more informal.
vuoi (volere, 2nd person singular)
Present‑tense form of the verb “volere” (to want). It must agree with the informal “you” (tu).
Word order
In questions without a question word, Italian often places the verb before the subject, but with “cosa” the order is “cosa + verb”.
🗨In Conversation
Certo, cosa vuoi?
Sure, what do you want?
Vorrei un caffè, per favore.
I’d like a coffee, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Certo, cosa vuole?
“Vuole” is the third‑person singular (he/she/you formal). Use “vuoi” for informal “you”.
Certo, che vuoi?
While understandable, “che vuoi?” sounds abrupt; the full “cosa vuoi?” or “che cosa vuoi?” is smoother.
Certo cosa vuoi?
Missing the comma makes the sentence feel rushed; a short pause (comma) separates the affirmation from the question.
↔Alternatives
Sì, che cosa desideri?
Yes, what would you like?
Certo, che vuoi?
Sure, what do you want?
Va bene, cosa ti serve?
Alright, what do you need?
Cultural Tip
In Italy “certo” can be used alone as a quick affirmation (“Of course!”). When you add a question, keep the tone light and friendly. For formal situations switch to the third‑person form “vuole” and the polite pronoun “desidera”. Also, many Italians prefer “che cosa” over “cosa” in more careful speech, but both are perfectly understood.