Italian Phrase
Cosa significano questi segnali?
Meaning
This question asks for the meaning or purpose of several signs that the speaker can see. It is used when the signs are unclear, ambiguous, or unfamiliar, and the speaker wants clarification.
When to use
Use it when you are looking at road signs, informational placards, safety symbols, or any visual cues that you do not understand. It works in both formal and informal contexts, but keep a polite tone if you are speaking to an authority figure.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cosasignificanoquestisegnali?
Cosa (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' and can start a question without needing a verb before it.
significano (verb agreement)
Third‑person plural present of 'significare' (to mean); it must match the plural noun 'segnali'.
questi (demonstrative adjective)
Plural masculine form of 'questo', placed before the noun it modifies.
segnali (noun)
Plural masculine noun meaning 'signs' or 'signals'.
Word order in questions
Italian often places the interrogative pronoun first, followed by the verb, then the subject or noun phrase.
🗨In Conversation
Cosa significano questi segnali?
What do these signs mean?
Indicano le uscite di emergenza e le zone vietate.
They indicate the emergency exits and the prohibited areas.
✕Common Mistakes
Cosa significa questi segnali?
The verb must agree with the plural noun 'segnali'; use 'significano' (plural) instead of 'significa' (singular).
Cosa significano queste segnali?
Because 'segnali' is masculine, the correct demonstrative is 'questi', not the feminine 'queste'.
↔Alternatives
Che cosa vogliono dire questi segnali?
What do these signs want to say?
Qual è il significato di questi segnali?
What is the meaning of these signs?
Cultural Tip
Italian public signs follow European standards, so many symbols are universal. When asking for clarification, a polite tone (using 'significano' rather than a more abrupt 'che cosa') is appreciated, especially with officials or staff in museums, airports, or government buildings.