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Italian Phrase

A che ora comincia lo spettacolo?

/a ke ˈo.ra koˈmiɲ.ʧa lo speˈt.ta.ko.lo/
Meaning"What time does the show start?"
💡

Meaning

This question asks for the exact starting time of a performance, such as a theater play, concert, or any scheduled show.

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When to use

Use it when you are at a theater box office, talking to friends about a concert, or checking the schedule of a TV program. It works in both formal and informal contexts.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Acheoracomincialospettacolo?

1

A che ora

The fixed phrase 'A che ora' (literally 'at what hour') is used to ask for the time something happens.

2

cominciare vs. iniziare

Both verbs mean 'to start', but 'cominciare' is more common in spoken Italian when referring to events like shows.

3

Definite article lo

Use 'lo' before masculine nouns that start with s+consonant, z, ps, gn, or a vowel (e.g., lo spettacolo).

🗨In Conversation

A

A che ora comincia lo spettacolo?

What time does the show start?

Comincia alle otto e mezza, ma le porte si aprono alle otto.

It starts at eight thirty, but the doors open at eight.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • A che ore comincia lo spettacolo?

    Use the singular 'ora' because you are asking for a specific time, not a range of hours.

  • A che ora è lo spettacolo?

    The verb 'essere' does not convey the idea of starting; use 'cominciare' or 'iniziare'.

  • A che ora comincio lo spettacolo?

    The subject is the show, not you; keep the verb in third person singular.

  • A che ora comincia lo opera?

    If the noun starts with a vowel, the article changes to 'l'' (e.g., l'opera).

↔Alternatives

  • A che ora inizia lo spettacolo?

    What time does the show begin?

  • Quando inizia lo spettacolo?

    When does the show start?

  • A che ora parte lo spettacolo?

    At what time does the show kick off?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, theater and concert venues often open their doors 30 minutes before the performance, and punctuality is appreciated. When asking for the start time, Italians usually prefer 'cominciare' for events and 'iniziare' for more abstract actions. Also, remember that the formal 'Lei' form can be used with the same sentence structure if you need extra politeness: 'A che ora comincia lo spettacolo, per favore?'.