Italian Phrase
Chi sei?
Meaning
Literally “Who are you?”, this question asks for a person’s identity. It can be used to learn someone’s name, role, or relationship to you, and it carries a neutral tone unless paired with a specific intonation.
When to use
Use it when you meet someone for the first time, when you’re unsure who is speaking on a phone, or when you need clarification about a person’s role in a conversation. It’s informal, so in formal settings you might prefer “Come si chiama?” (What is your name?) or “Chi è?” (Who is it?).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Chisei
Chi (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about a person’s identity; it does not change for gender or number.
Sei (second‑person singular of ‘essere’)
The present‑tense form of ‘to be’ for “you”. In informal speech it follows the subject‑less structure of Italian questions.
🗨In Conversation
Chi sei?
Who are you?
Sono Marco, il tuo nuovo collega.
I’m Marco, your new coworker.
✕Common Mistakes
Che sei?
“Che” means “what”, not “who”. The correct interrogative for “who” is “chi”.
Chi è tu?
The pronoun “tu” is unnecessary; “Chi sei?” already includes the subject.
↔Alternatives
Come ti chiami?
What’s your name?
Chi è?
Who is it?
Qual è il tuo nome?
What is your name?
Cultural Tip
“Chi sei?” is perfectly natural among peers, classmates, or in casual settings. In more formal contexts (e.g., business meetings, speaking to elders) Italians usually ask “Come si chiama?” (using the formal ‘Lei’). Also, tone matters: a friendly, open intonation signals curiosity, while a sharp tone can sound confrontational.