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Italian Phrase

Quindi vuoi dire...?

/ˈkwin.di ˈvwɔi ˈdi.re/
Meaning"So you mean…?"
💡

Meaning

Literally “So you want to say…?”, this phrase is used to ask the speaker to confirm or clarify what they have just said. It signals that you have understood the gist but need the exact meaning.

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When to use

Use it right after someone makes a statement that could be interpreted in more than one way, or when you want to double‑check that you’ve caught the intended meaning. It works in both informal chats and more formal discussions.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Quindivuoidire...?

1

Quindi

A conjunction meaning “so” or “then”, used to draw a conclusion or to transition to a clarification.

2

vuoi

Second‑person singular present of the verb *volere* (to want). Here it functions like “do you want” or “do you mean”.

3

dire

The infinitive of *dire* (to say). After *vuoi* it forms the construction *vuoi dire* = “do you mean / are you saying”.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ho comprato il biglietto per il treno delle otto, ma il treno è stato cancellato.

I bought a ticket for the 8 am train, but the train was cancelled.

Quindi vuoi dire che devi trovare un altro modo per arrivare?

So you mean you need to find another way to get there?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Quindi vuole dire...?

    Use *vuoi* (second person) when addressing the person you’re speaking to; *vuole* is third‑person singular.

  • Quindi vuoi dire.

    Do not omit the ellipsis or question mark; the phrase is a question, not a statement.

  • Quindi vuoi dire che...

    Adding *che* changes the structure; the idiomatic way is simply *Quindi vuoi dire…?*

↔Alternatives

  • Allora, intendi dire…?

    So, do you mean…?

  • Se ho capito bene, vuoi dire…?

    If I understood correctly, you’re saying…?

  • Mi confermi che vuoi dire…?

    Can you confirm that you mean…?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italian conversation, *quindi* often appears at the start of a sentence to signal a logical step or a request for clarification. The tone matters: a friendly, slightly raised intonation shows curiosity, while a flat tone can sound skeptical. Italians appreciate directness, so using this phrase is a polite way to keep the dialogue clear without sounding confrontational.