Italian Phrase
Che ne dici di una radio a batterie?
Meaning
This phrase is a common and informal way to suggest an idea or ask for someone's opinion on a proposal. It literally translates to "What do you say about it?", with "ne" referring back to the idea being proposed. It's a versatile expression used for making various suggestions.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to propose an idea, suggest an activity, or ask for someone's thoughts on a specific item or plan. It's suitable for informal to semi-formal contexts among friends, family, or colleagues, and is a polite way to invite feedback.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Chenedicidiuna radioa batterie
Che
'Che' is an interrogative pronoun meaning 'what'. In this context, it initiates the question about the suggestion.
ne
'ne' is a partitive pronoun that refers to the idea or thing being discussed, often translated as 'about it' or 'of it'. It's crucial for the meaning of 'Che ne dici'.
dici
'dici' is the second person singular conjugation of the verb 'dire' (to say). It directly addresses the listener, asking what they 'say' about the proposal.
di
'di' is a preposition meaning 'of' or 'about'. It introduces the specific item or activity that is being suggested or discussed.
una radio
'una' is the indefinite feminine article meaning 'a' or 'an', preceding the feminine noun 'radio' (radio).
a batterie
'a batterie' is a prepositional phrase acting as an adjective, meaning 'battery-powered' or 'with batteries'. 'a' means 'to' or 'with' in this context, and 'batterie' means 'batteries'.
🗨In Conversation
Fa caldo e non c'è elettricità. Che facciamo?
It's hot and there's no electricity. What do we do?
Che ne dici di una radio a batterie? Potremmo ascoltare un po' di musica.
How about a battery-powered radio? We could listen to some music.
✕Common Mistakes
Cosa dici una radio a batterie?
While 'cosa dici' means 'what are you saying?', it's not used for making suggestions. 'Che ne dici' includes the partitive pronoun 'ne' which refers to the suggestion itself.
Che ne dici per una radio a batterie?
The correct preposition to introduce the suggested item or activity after 'Che ne dici' is 'di', not 'per'.
↔Alternatives
Ti va di una radio a batterie?
Do you feel like a battery-powered radio?
Perché non prendiamo una radio a batterie?
Why don't we get a battery-powered radio?
Cosa pensi di una radio a batterie?
What do you think of a battery-powered radio?
Cultural Tip
In Italian culture, making suggestions is often done in a way that invites discussion rather than dictating. 'Che ne dici di...?' is a perfect example, as it directly asks for the other person's opinion, showing respect for their input. It's a very common and natural way to propose an idea, whether it's for an activity, a meal, or an object like a radio, without being overly assertive.