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Italian Phrase

Cosa c'è con questo pasto?

/ˈkɔ.za ˈtʃe kon ˈkwes.to ˈpas.to/
Meaning"What's wrong with this meal?"
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Meaning

Literally, 'What is there with this meal?' It is used to ask if something is wrong, missing, or unusual about the food that is being served. The tone can range from polite curiosity to mild complaint, depending on context.

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When to use

Use this phrase in a restaurant, at a friend's house, or any situation where you want to point out a problem with the food—whether it's undercooked, too salty, or simply not what you expected. It works best when you want to be direct but still keep the conversation friendly.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Cosac'èconquestopasto?

1

Cosa

Interrogative pronoun meaning 'what'. It can stand alone or precede a verb.

2

c'è

Contraction of "ci è" (there is). Used to ask about the existence or presence of something.

3

con

Preposition meaning 'with' or 'about' in certain idiomatic questions.

4

questo

Demonstrative adjective meaning 'this', agreeing in gender and number with the noun that follows.

5

pasto

Masculine noun meaning 'meal' or 'food'.

🗨In Conversation

A

Cosa c'è con questo pasto?

What's wrong with this meal?

Mi sembra un po' troppo salato, ma altrimenti è buono.

It seems a bit too salty, but otherwise it's good.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Cosa è con questo pasto?

    The correct contraction is "c'è" (ci è). "cosa è" is ungrammatical.

  • Cosa c'è con questi pasto?

    "Pasto" is masculine singular, so the demonstrative must be "questo" not "questi".

  • Con questo pasto c'è cosa?

    Word order matters; the interrogative pronoun "cosa" should start the question.

↔Alternatives

  • Che cosa c'è di sbagliato in questo pasto?

    What is wrong with this meal?

  • C'è qualcosa che non va in questo pasto?

    Is there something wrong with this meal?

  • Questo pasto non è di mio gradimento?

    Is this meal not to my liking?

it

Cultural Tip

Italians are passionate about food, so commenting on a dish is normal, but the tone matters. A polite "Cosa c'è con questo pasto?" is acceptable in a restaurant if you address the waiter respectfully. Raising your voice or using a harsh tone can be seen as rude. In family settings, a softer "Questo pasto è un po' diverso" is often preferred.