Italian Phrase
Qual è la tua controproposta?
Meaning
Literally, 'What is your counter‑proposal?'. It is used to ask someone what alternative offer they have in a negotiation or discussion.
When to use
Use this sentence in business meetings, salary negotiations, project planning sessions, or any situation where two parties are exchanging offers and you want to hear the other side's alternative suggestion.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Qualèlatuacontroproposta?
Qual è
The interrogative 'qual' (short for 'quale') is followed by the verb 'essere' to ask 'what is'.
Possessive adjective agreement
'tua' agrees in gender and number with the feminine noun 'controproposta'.
Controproposta
A feminine noun meaning 'counter‑proposal', formed from 'contro' (against) + 'proposta'.
🗨In Conversation
Qual è la tua controproposta?
What is your counter‑proposal?
Propongo di estendere il termine di pagamento di due mesi.
I propose extending the payment deadline by two months.
✕Common Mistakes
Che è la tua controproposta?
'Che' is not used for 'what' in this construction; use 'Qual è'.
la tuo controproposta
Possessive adjectives must agree with the noun; 'tua' is required for the feminine noun.
contro proposta
The word is a single noun 'controproposta', not two separate words.
↔Alternatives
Qual è la tua proposta alternativa?
What is your alternative proposal?
Che controproposta hai?
What counter‑proposal do you have?
Hai una controproposta?
Do you have a counter‑proposal?
Cultural Tip
In Italian business culture, direct questions are acceptable, but adding a polite preface such as 'Potresti dirmi' or 'Mi potresti indicare' softens the request. Also, Italians often discuss numbers and deadlines in detail, so be prepared to elaborate on your counter‑proposal.