Italian Phrase
Quando è il tuo anniversario?
Meaning
This phrase is used to ask someone for the date of their anniversary, typically referring to a wedding or a romantic milestone. The word 'anniversario' specifically refers to a yearly recurring date of a past event. It is a direct question that requires a specific date as an answer.
When to use
Use this phrase in social situations when you are talking to a friend or an acquaintance about their relationship or marriage. It is a common question during small talk or when planning a celebration.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quandoèil tuoanniversario
Interrogative: Quando
'Quando' is the standard Italian word for 'when' used in both questions and statements.
Verb: Essere
'è' is the third-person singular of the verb 'essere' (to be), used here to link the subject to its date.
Possessives
In Italian, the possessive 'tuo' (your) must match the gender and number of the noun 'anniversario' (masculine singular) and usually takes the article 'il'.
🗨In Conversation
Quando è il tuo anniversario?
When is your anniversary?
È il venti di ottobre.
It is the twentieth of October.
✕Common Mistakes
Quando è tuo anniversario?
In Italian, possessive adjectives like 'tuo' almost always require a definite article (il) before them.
Quando è il tuo compleanno?
Don't confuse 'anniversario' with 'compleanno', which specifically means 'birthday'.
↔Alternatives
Quando festeggiate l'anniversario?
When do you celebrate your anniversary?
In che giorno cade il vostro anniversario?
On what day does your anniversary fall?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, anniversaries are important family milestones. While wedding anniversaries are the most common, Italians also celebrate 'onomastici' (name days), though 'anniversario' is strictly for the date of an event like a wedding or the founding of an organization.