Italian Phrase
Chiedi dei possibili effetti collaterali.
Meaning
This sentence is a direct, informal request to someone to ask about the possible side‑effects of a medication or treatment. It is often used in a medical context, such as when speaking with a pharmacist, a doctor, or a friend who is about to start a new drug.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to remind or instruct another person (a friend, a family member, or a junior colleague) to inquire about side‑effects before taking a medication. It is common in pharmacies, doctor’s offices, or casual conversations about health.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Chiedideipossibilieffetticollaterali.
Imperative (second person singular)
‘Chiedi’ is the informal imperative form of ‘chiedere’, used when speaking to a friend, peer, or someone you address with ‘tu’.
Partitive article ‘dei’
‘dei’ = ‘di + i’, a partitive article meaning ‘some’. It introduces an indefinite quantity of the noun that follows.
Adjective agreement
‘possibili’ (possible) and ‘collaterali’ (side) are plural adjectives that must agree in gender and number with the noun ‘effetti’.
Noun phrase order
In Italian the adjective usually follows the noun, but with ‘possibili’ it can precede to stress the possibility: ‘possibili effetti collaterali’.
🗨In Conversation
Chiedi dei possibili effetti collaterali.
Ask about possible side effects.
Certo, lo farò subito.
Sure, I’ll do it right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Chieda dei possibili effetti collaterali.
‘Chieda’ is the formal imperative (Lei). Use it only in very polite or professional contexts; with friends you should keep ‘Chiedi’.
Chiedi di possibili effetti collaterali.
The partitive article ‘dei’ is needed to convey ‘some’. Using just ‘di’ sounds incomplete.
Chiedi dei possibile effetti collaterali.
Adjectives must agree in number; ‘possibile’ is singular, but ‘effetti’ is plural.
Chiedi dei effetti collaterali possibili.
While word order can vary, placing ‘possibili’ before the noun phrase is the most natural in this context.
↔Alternatives
Domanda quali sono gli effetti collaterali possibili.
Ask what the possible side effects are.
Informati sugli effetti collaterali potenziali.
Find out about potential side effects.
Chiedi quali effetti collaterali potrebbero verificarsi.
Ask which side effects might occur.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, patients are encouraged to ask their doctors or pharmacists about side effects, but the level of formality matters. ‘Chiedi’ is informal; in a formal setting you would say ‘Le chieda dei possibili effetti collaterali’ (using the polite ‘Lei’). Also, Italians often appreciate a brief explanation of why they should ask, e.g., ‘Per sicurezza, chiedi…’.