Italian Phrase
Che data è oggi?
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to ask for the current calendar date in Italian. It combines the interrogative word 'che' with 'data' and the verb 'essere' to identify the specific point in the month. It is more specific than asking for the day of the week.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to know the numerical date, such as when filling out a document, booking a flight, or verifying a deadline. It is appropriate for both formal and informal interactions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Chedataèoggi
Che
An interrogative adjective used here to mean 'what' in relation to the noun 'data'.
è (essere)
The third-person singular present tense of the verb 'to be', used to state the current date.
oggi
An adverb meaning 'today', placed at the end of the sentence for emphasis.
🗨In Conversation
Scusi, che data è oggi?
Excuse me, what date is it today?
Oggi è il dieci novembre.
Today is November 10th.
✕Common Mistakes
Quale data è oggi?
While 'quale' means 'which', 'che' is the idiomatic choice for this specific question in Italian.
Cosa è la data oggi?
This is a literal translation from English and sounds unnatural; Italians do not use 'cosa' to ask for the date.
↔Alternatives
Quanti ne abbiamo oggi?
What is the date today? (lit. How many of them do we have today?)
Che giorno è oggi?
What day is it today? (Can refer to the day of the week or the date)
Cultural Tip
In Italy, dates are always written and spoken in the Day-Month-Year format. When answering this question, Italians use the cardinal numbers for all days except the first of the month, which is referred to as 'il primo'.