SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to At Work

Italian Phrase

Chi avviso se non posso venire?

/ki aˈvi.zo se non ˈpɔs.so veˈni.re/
Meaning"Who should I inform if I can’t come?"
💡

Meaning

Literally: “Who do I inform if I can’t come?” The speaker is asking which person they should let know about their possible absence.

🎯

When to use

Use this question when you’re unsure who the proper contact is for notifying a change of plans – e.g., a meeting, a party, a work shift, or a family gathering.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Chiavvisosenonpossovenire?

1

Chi

Interrogative pronoun meaning “who”, used as the subject of the question.

2

avviso

First‑person singular present of *avvisare* (to inform/notify).

3

se

Conjunction meaning “if”, introducing a conditional clause.

4

non

Negation particle placed before the verb it negates.

5

posso

First‑person singular present of *potere* (can, be able to).

6

venire

Infinitive of *venire* (to come).

🗨In Conversation

A

Chi avviso se non posso venire?

Who should I let know if I can’t come?

Avvisa il responsabile del progetto, così può riorganizzare il lavoro.

Notify the project manager, so they can reorganize the work.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Chi avviso se non posso venire?

    Missing the preposition *a* before the indirect object; the standard form is *A chi avviso…*

  • Chi avviso se posso venire?

    Learners sometimes drop the negation *non* and say *se posso venire*, which changes the meaning to “if I can come”.

  • Chi avviso se non ho avviso?

    Using the noun *avviso* (notice) instead of the verb can cause confusion. The correct verb form is *avviso* (I inform).

↔Alternatives

  • A chi devo avvisare se non posso venire?

    To whom should I inform if I can’t come?

  • Chi devo informare nel caso non riesca a venire?

    Who should I inform in case I can’t make it?

  • A chi devo dire che non potrò venire?

    To whom should I say that I won’t be able to come?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy it’s considered courteous to inform the host or organizer as early as possible. The verb *avvisare* is the standard way to say “to give notice”. When the person you’re notifying is an indirect object, you normally use the preposition *a* (e.g., *A chi avviso…*). Skipping the preposition can sound informal or regional, but the meaning is still clear.