Italian Phrase
Cosa mangi per pranzo?
Meaning
Literally “What do you eat for lunch?” It asks the listener about the food they usually have at the midday meal. The question is informal and assumes a familiar relationship.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual conversation with friends, classmates, or coworkers when you’re curious about their lunch habits or when you’re planning to eat together.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cosamangiperpranzo?
Cosa
Interrogative pronoun meaning “what”. It can appear at the beginning of a question.
mangi
Second‑person singular present indicative of the verb *mangiare* (to eat).
per
Preposition meaning “for”. In this construction it introduces the purpose or occasion.
pranzo
Noun meaning “lunch”. When used with *per*, it refers to the meal you will have.
?
Question mark signals that the sentence is a question.
🗨In Conversation
Cosa mangi per pranzo?
What do you eat for lunch?
Di solito mangio una insalata con pollo.
I usually eat a chicken salad.
✕Common Mistakes
Cosa mangia per pranzo?
Use *mangi* (second person) when speaking directly to someone; *mangia* is third‑person singular.
Cosa mangi per il pranzo?
The article *il* is unnecessary in this idiomatic expression; *per pranzo* is the natural phrasing.
Che mangi per pranzo?
When using *che* as an interrogative, it must be paired with *cosa* or used as *che cosa*.
↔Alternatives
Che cosa mangi a pranzo?
What do you eat at lunch?
Cosa prendi per pranzo?
What do you have for lunch?
Che cosa prendi a pranzo?
What do you have for lunch?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, *pranzo* is often the main meal of the day, usually served between 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. It can consist of several courses, especially in the south, but many people today have a quick, single‑course lunch (e.g., a panino, salad, or pasta). When asking about lunch, it’s polite to keep the tone light; Italians love to talk about food, so you can follow up with “Ti piace la cucina italiana?” (Do you like Italian cuisine?).