Italian Phrase
Chiedi ai tuoi amici consigli.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘Ask your friends for advice.’ It uses the imperative form to give a friendly suggestion, and the indirect object ‘ai tuoi amici’ tells who should be asked. The word ‘consigli’ is plural, indicating you are looking for several pieces of advice or general guidance.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to encourage someone to seek opinions or tips from their social circle, for example before making a big decision, planning a trip, or solving a problem. It works in informal contexts among peers or family members.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Chiediaituoiamiciconsigli
Chiedi (imperative)
‘Chiedi’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb ‘chiedere’ (to ask). It is used to give a direct command or suggestion.
ai = a + i
The preposition ‘a’ introduces the indirect object; when followed by the plural article ‘i’, it contracts to ‘ai’ (to the).
tuoi (possessive adjective)
‘tuoi’ agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (masculine plural ‘amici’).
amici (plural noun)
‘amici’ means ‘friends’; it is masculine plural, so the article and adjective must match.
consigli (plural noun)
‘consigli’ is the plural of ‘consiglio’ (advice, tip). In this construction it functions as the thing being asked for.
🗨In Conversation
Non so quale università scegliere.
I don’t know which university to choose.
Chiedi ai tuoi amici consigli, loro hanno già vissuto esperienze simili.
Ask your friends for advice; they’ve already had similar experiences.
✕Common Mistakes
Chiedi di ai tuoi amici consigli.
The verb ‘chiedere’ takes the preposition ‘a’ for the person you ask, not ‘di’.
Chiedi ai tuoi amici consiglio.
When you want multiple pieces of advice, use the plural ‘consigli’. Using the singular can sound odd in this construction.
Chiedi ai tuo amici consigli.
Because ‘amici’ is plural, the possessive must also be plural: ‘tuoi’.
↔Alternatives
Domanda ai tuoi amici dei consigli.
Ask your friends for some advice.
Cerca consigli tra i tuoi amici.
Look for advice among your friends.
Rivolgiti ai tuoi amici per dei consigli.
Turn to your friends for advice.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, asking friends for advice is seen as a sign of humility and community spirit. Italians often discuss personal matters over coffee, so a phrase like this fits naturally in casual conversation. Be mindful of the register: the imperative ‘Chiedi’ is informal; with strangers or elders you would use the polite form ‘Chieda’ or a softer suggestion like ‘Potresti chiedere…’.