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Italian Phrase

Mi chiarisci questo punto?

/mi kj aˈriʃ.tʃi ˈkwes.to ˈpun.to/
Meaning"Could you clarify this point for me?"
💡

Meaning

Literally, ‘Do you clarify this point for me?’, it is a polite way to ask someone to explain or make a particular detail clearer. The tone is friendly but still respectful, suitable for both peers and superiors when used with the appropriate level of formality.

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When to use

Use this phrase in meetings, classroom discussions, or any conversation where you need a clearer explanation of something that has just been said. It works well in professional settings when you want to sound engaged without being overly formal.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Michiarisciquestopunto?

1

Mi (indirect object pronoun)

‘Mi’ is the first‑person singular indirect object pronoun, meaning ‘to me’ or ‘for me’, placed before the verb.

2

chiarisci (present, 2nd person singular)

‘chiarisci’ is the present indicative of ‘chiarire’ (to clarify) conjugated for ‘tu’. It forms a direct question without needing an auxiliary.

3

questo punto (demonstrative + noun)

‘questo’ is a masculine singular demonstrative adjective that agrees with the noun ‘punto’ (point).

4

Question word order

In spoken Italian the subject can be omitted; the verb precedes the object, creating a polite request: ‘Mi chiarisci…?’

🗨In Conversation

A

Mi chiarisci questo punto?

Could you clarify this point for me?

Certo, intendevo dire che il progetto deve essere consegnato entro il 15 aprile.

Sure, I meant that the project has to be delivered by April 15th.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Mi chiarire questo punto?

    ‘Chiarire’ is the infinitive; you need the conjugated form ‘chiarisci’ for a direct question.

  • Mi chiarisci questo punto, per favore?

    The comma before ‘per favore’ is optional, but many learners add an extra pause that sounds unnatural; place ‘per favore’ at the end without a comma.

  • Mi chiarisci questo punto!

    Using an exclamation mark changes the tone to demanding; keep the question mark for a polite request.

↔Alternatives

  • Puoi spiegarmi meglio questo punto?

    Can you explain this point better for me?

  • Potresti chiarire questo punto?

    Could you clarify this point?

  • Mi potresti spiegare questo punto?

    Could you explain this point to me?

it

Cultural Tip

‘Mi chiarisci…’ is informal and assumes a familiar relationship (or a neutral workplace tone). In a formal context, switch to the conditional or subjunctive: ‘Mi chiarirebbe questo punto?’ or ‘Potrebbe chiarirmi questo punto?’ Also, Italians often soften requests with ‘per favore’ or a brief ‘scusa’ before the question.