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Italian Phrase

Cosa ci serve per cena?

/ˈkɔ.za tʃi ˈser.ve per ˈtʃe.na/
Meaning"What do we need for dinner?"
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Meaning

Literally, “What is needed for us for dinner?” In everyday English it translates to “What do we need for dinner?” The sentence asks for the items, ingredients, or equipment required to prepare the evening meal.

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When to use

Use this question when you’re planning the evening meal with friends, family, or roommates and want to know what ingredients, utensils, or dishes still have to be bought or prepared.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Cosaciservepercena?

1

Cosa

Interrogative pronoun meaning “what”. It introduces a question about a thing or an action.

2

ci

Clitic pronoun meaning “to us / for us”. Here it works as an indirect object with the verb “servire”.

3

serve (servire)

Third‑person singular present of the verb “servire” used impersonally to mean “is needed / is necessary”.

4

per

Preposition meaning “for”. It links the verb to the purpose (dinner).

5

cena

Noun meaning “dinner”. In Italian it usually refers to the main evening meal.

🗨In Conversation

A

Cosa ci serve per cena?

What do we need for dinner?

Ci serve della pasta, del sugo di pomodoro e un’insalata verde.

We need some pasta, tomato sauce, and a green salad.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Cosa serve per cena?

    Missing the clitic pronoun “ci”. Without it the sentence sounds incomplete because the verb “servire” needs an indirect object here.

  • Cosa ci serve per la cena?

    Adding the article “la” is not wrong, but it changes the register to a slightly more formal or specific context. In casual conversation Italians often drop the article.

↔Alternatives

  • Di cosa abbiamo bisogno per cena?

    What do we need for dinner?

  • Che cosa ci serve per la cena?

    What do we need for the dinner?

  • Cosa serve per la cena?

    What is needed for dinner?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy dinner (cena) is usually served later than in many other countries, often after 8 pm. It can be a multi‑course affair, so when you ask “Cosa ci serve per cena?” you might be planning a simple first‑course pasta, a second‑course meat, or even a dessert. Remember that “cena” can refer to the whole meal, not just the main dish.