Italian Phrase
Dì chiaramente cosa vuoi.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘Say clearly what you want.’ It is a straightforward command that asks the listener to express their desire without ambiguity. The adverb ‘chiaramente’ stresses the need for clarity, while the imperative ‘dì’ makes the request direct.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need someone to be explicit about their request, such as in a negotiation, a classroom setting, or when planning a group activity. It works well in informal or semi‑formal contexts where a direct tone is acceptable.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Dìchiaramentecosavuoi
Dì (imperative)
‘Dì’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb ‘dire’ (to say). It is used for direct commands or requests.
chiaramente (adverb)
‘chiaramente’ means ‘clearly’ and modifies the verb, indicating the manner in which something should be said.
cosa (interrogative pronoun)
‘cosa’ translates to ‘what’ and introduces the object of the request.
vuoi (present of volere)
‘vuoi’ is the second‑person singular present of ‘volere’ (to want). It completes the clause ‘what you want.’
🗨In Conversation
Dì chiaramente cosa vuoi, così possiamo organizzare tutto.
Say clearly what you want, so we can organize everything.
Voglio un tavolo vicino alla finestra, per favore.
I want a table near the window, please.
✕Common Mistakes
Dice chiaramente cosa vuoi.
‘Dice’ is the third‑person singular present (he/she says). For a command you need the imperative ‘Dì’.
Dì cosa chiaramente vuoi.
Placing ‘chiaramente’ after ‘cosa’ changes the rhythm and sounds unnatural.
Dì chiaramente cosa volere.
Using ‘volere’ in the infinitive ‘volere’ makes the sentence ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Esprimi chiaramente ciò che desideri.
Express clearly what you desire.
Parla in modo chiaro su ciò che vuoi.
Speak clearly about what you want.
Dì in modo esplicito cosa ti serve.
State explicitly what you need.
Cultural Tip
Italian communication often balances directness with politeness. While ‘Dì chiaramente cosa vuoi’ is perfectly understandable, in very formal or hierarchical settings you might soften it with ‘Per favore, potresti dire più chiaramente cosa desideri?’ to avoid sounding too blunt. Also, Italians appreciate gestures that accompany speech, so a clear hand motion can reinforce the request.