Italian Phrase
E poi, cos'è successo?
Meaning
This phrase is used to inquire about the continuation of a story or event. It literally means "And then, what has happened?" but is naturally translated as "And then, what happened?" or "What happened next?". It's a common way to prompt someone to continue their narrative.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone is telling a story or recounting events, and you want them to continue. It's perfect for showing engagement and curiosity about the next part of the narrative. It can be used in both casual and slightly more formal settings, depending on the tone.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Epoi,cos'èsuccesso?
E (and)
"E" is a conjunction meaning "and". It connects words, phrases, or clauses, indicating addition or sequence.
Poi (then)
"Poi" is an adverb meaning "then" or "afterwards". It is commonly used to indicate a sequence of events in a narrative, prompting the continuation of a story.
Cos'è (what is/what has)
"Cos'è" is a contraction of "cosa è". "Cosa" means "what", and "è" is the third-person singular form of the verb "essere" (to be). In this phrase, it functions as the auxiliary verb for the passato prossimo.
Successo (happened)
"Successo" is the past participle of the verb "succedere" (to happen). When combined with "è" (from "essere"), it forms the passato prossimo (present perfect) tense, indicating a completed action in the past.
🗨In Conversation
Ieri sono andato al mercato e ho visto una cosa incredibile!
Yesterday I went to the market and saw something incredible!
Davvero? E poi, cos'è successo?
Really? And then, what happened?
✕Common Mistakes
E poi, cosa è successo?
"cosa è" contracts to "cos'è" in Italian, especially in spoken language and often in writing.
E dopo, che è successo?
While "dopo" means "after", "poi" is more common for "then" when indicating a sequence in a narrative. "Cosa" is generally preferred over "che" for "what" in direct questions.
E poi, cosa succedeva?
"Succedeva" (imperfect) implies an ongoing or habitual action in the past. "È successo" (passato prossimo) refers to a completed, specific event in the past, which is what is typically asked when inquiring "what happened?".
↔Alternatives
E dopo?
And after?
Cosa è successo dopo?
What happened after?
Poi cosa è successo?
Then what happened?
Come è andata a finire?
How did it end?
Cultural Tip
Italians are often expressive storytellers and appreciate active listening. Using "E poi, cos'è successo?" shows genuine interest and encourages the speaker to elaborate, which is generally well-received. It's a great way to participate in a conversation without interrupting, signaling that you're following along and eager for more details.