Italian Phrase
Quando arriva il nostro cibo?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the expected time of arrival of the food that belongs to the speaker and their companions. It’s a polite way to check on a meal that has been ordered, whether at a restaurant, a take‑away place, or a delivery service.
When to use
Use this question while waiting for a dish in a restaurant, when you’ve placed a delivery order, or in a kitchen where you need to know when the next course will be ready. Adding a courtesy word like “Scusi” makes it even more polite.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quandoarrivailnostrocibo?
Quando (interrogative adverb)
Used to ask about time; it does not change form.
arriva (present indicative)
Third‑person singular of arrivare. In questions the verb stays in the indicative, not the subjunctive.
il (definite article)
Masculine singular article that agrees with the noun cibo.
nostro (possessive adjective)
Matches the gender and number of the noun it modifies (masc. sing.).
cibo (noun)
Masculine singular meaning “food” or “meal.”
🗨In Conversation
Quando arriva il nostro cibo?
When does our food arrive?
Tra cinque minuti, dovrebbe essere pronto.
In about five minutes, it should be ready.
✕Common Mistakes
Quando arrivi il nostro cibo?
‘Arrivi’ is the subjunctive form; the question requires the indicative ‘arriva’.
Quando arriva il noi cibo?
Possessive adjectives must agree with the noun; use ‘nostro cibo’, not ‘noi cibo’.
Quando è arrivato il nostro cibo?
That phrase asks about a past event; the question is about a future or pending arrival.
↔Alternatives
A che ora arriva il nostro cibo?
At what time does our food arrive?
Quando sarà pronto il nostro cibo?
When will our food be ready?
Scusi, può dirci quando arriva il nostro cibo?
Excuse me, can you tell us when our food arrives?
Cultural Tip
In Italy it’s common to preface the question with a polite “Scusi” or “Mi scusi” when speaking to waiters. Italians are generally relaxed about exact timing, so a friendly tone is more important than the precise wording. Also, note that “cibo” can refer to a whole meal or just the food you ordered, depending on context.