Italian Phrase
Come definisci il successo?
Meaning
The speaker is asking the listener to explain, in their own words, what ‘success’ means to them. It invites a personal, reflective answer rather than a dictionary definition.
When to use
Use this question in interviews, networking events, classroom discussions about goals, or casual chats when you want to learn about someone’s values and ambitions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Comedefinisciilsuccesso?
Come (How)
An interrogative adverb used to ask about manner or way.
definisci (you define)
Second‑person singular present indicative of definire; the verb agrees with the subject ‘tu’ (understood).
il (the)
Definite article masculine singular that matches the noun ‘successo’.
successo (success)
Masculine singular noun; the object of the verb ‘definire’.
Question formation
Italian yes‑no questions often keep the normal word order; intonation or a question mark signals the interrogative.
🗨In Conversation
Come definisci il successo?
How do you define success?
Per me il successo è riuscire a conciliare lavoro e famiglia, sentendomi realizzato ogni giorno.
For me, success is being able to balance work and family while feeling fulfilled every day.
✕Common Mistakes
Come definire il successo?
Do not use the infinitive ‘definire’ here; the verb must be conjugated to match the implied ‘tu’.
Come definisci il successi?
‘Successo’ is singular; the article must agree in number.
Che definisci il successo?
‘Che’ is not used to form this type of ‘how’ question; use ‘Come’.
↔Alternatives
Che cosa per te è il successo?
What is success to you?
Qual è la tua definizione di successo?
What is your definition of success?
Come valuti il successo?
How do you assess success?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, success is often linked not only to professional achievement but also to personal well‑being, family cohesion, and social relationships. When answering, it’s common to mention a balance between work, family, and personal satisfaction rather than just money or status. Use a friendly tone with peers, but a slightly more formal register in business or academic settings.