Italian Phrase
Quando scade?
Meaning
Literally ‘When does it expire?’, this question is used to ask for the date or moment when a product, coupon, contract, subscription, or any time‑limited item stops being valid.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to know the expiry date of food, medicines, tickets, membership cards, or any deadline. It works in both casual conversation with friends and in more formal settings such as a shop or a bank.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quandoscade?
Quando (interrogative adverb)
‘Quando’ means ‘when’ and is used to ask about time. It does not change form for gender or number.
Scade (present indicative)
‘Scade’ is the third‑person singular present indicative of the verb ‘scadere’ (to expire, to run out). It is used for things that have a deadline or a shelf‑life.
Verb‑subject agreement
Even though the subject is not expressed, Italian assumes a neutral ‘it/that thing’, so the verb stays in the third person singular.
🗨In Conversation
Quando scade?
When does it expire?
Scade il 15 aprile.
It expires on April 15th.
✕Common Mistakes
Quando scadi?
‘Scadi’ is the second‑person singular present subjunctive, which is not used for simple factual questions.
Quando è scaduto?
This asks about something that has already expired; use ‘scade’ for a future or present deadline.
Quando scade il?
The article ‘il’ is unnecessary unless you specify the noun (e.g., ‘Quando scade il pass?’).
↔Alternatives
Qual è la data di scadenza?
What is the expiration date?
Fino a quando è valido?
Until when is it valid?
Quando termina?
When does it end?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, expiration dates on food are usually printed as ‘scadenza’ followed by a day/month/year. Asking ‘Quando scade?’ is perfectly polite, but in a shop you might also say ‘Mi può dire la data di scadenza, per favore?’ to sound extra courteous. Remember that ‘scadere’ is only used for inanimate things; you would never ask a person ‘Quando scade?’