Italian Phrase
Cosa ne pensi?
Meaning
Literally “What of it do you think?”, the idiomatic English equivalent is “What do you think?” It asks the listener for their opinion about something that has just been mentioned or is obvious from context.
When to use
Use it in informal or semi‑formal conversations when you want to know someone’s view on a suggestion, a plan, a piece of news, or any topic that’s already on the table. It works well in both one‑to‑one chats and small‑group discussions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cosanepensi
Cosa
Interrogative pronoun meaning “what”. It introduces a question about something.
ne
Pronoun that replaces “di + it/that” – here it stands for the thing already mentioned, so you don’t have to repeat it.
pensi
Second‑person singular present of the verb pensare (“to think”).
🗨In Conversation
Cosa ne pensi del nuovo film di Tarantino?
What do you think of Tarantino’s new movie?
Mi è piaciuto molto, soprattutto la colonna sonora.
I liked it a lot, especially the soundtrack.
✕Common Mistakes
Cosa pensi?
Missing the pronoun “ne”, which is needed to refer back to the previously mentioned topic.
Not actually a mistake – it’s a regional variant that is more common in the north; just be aware that “Cosa ne pensi?” sounds slightly more formal.
Cosa ne penso?
Using the first‑person form “penso” changes the meaning to “I think…”. The question must stay in the second person: “pensi”.
↔Alternatives
Che ne pensi?
What do you think?
Qual è la tua opinione?
What’s your opinion?
Cosa ne credi?
What do you think (believe) about it?
Cultural Tip
In everyday Italian, “Che ne pensi?” is actually more common than “Cosa ne pensi?”, but both are perfectly correct. The phrase is informal; in a formal setting you might opt for “Qual è la sua opinione?” or “Cosa ne pensa?”. Remember to keep the tone friendly – Italians appreciate a warm, conversational approach when asking for opinions.