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Italian Phrase

Ti va di cenare stasera?

/ti ˈva di tʃeˈna.re staˈse.ra/
Meaning"Do you feel like having dinner tonight?"
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Meaning

Literally, ‘Does it go for you to have dinner tonight?’ In everyday Italian it’s a friendly way to ask ‘Do you feel like having dinner tonight?’ The construction uses the impersonal verb ‘andare’ to check the other person’s willingness.

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When to use

Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal settings – with friends, classmates, coworkers you’re close to, or family members. It’s perfect for proposing a dinner plan without sounding too demanding.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Tivadicenarestasera?

1

Ti (indirect object pronoun)

‘Ti’ is the second‑person singular indirect object pronoun, meaning ‘to you’ or ‘for you’.

2

va (impersonal andare)

‘Va’ is the third‑person singular of ‘andare’ used impersonally to mean ‘does it suit/feel like…’.

3

di + infinitive

After this impersonal ‘va’, the preposition ‘di’ introduces the infinitive that describes the activity.

4

cenare (infinitive)

‘Cenare’ means ‘to have dinner’; the infinitive follows ‘di’ to form the activity clause.

5

stasera (adverb of time)

‘Stasera’ means ‘tonight’ and specifies when the dinner is proposed.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ti va di cenare stasera?

Do you feel like having dinner tonight?

Sì, volentieri! Dove ci incontriamo?

Sure, gladly! Where shall we meet?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ti vuoi di cenare stasera?

    ‘Vuoi’ is the correct verb for ‘want’; ‘andare’ (va) is used in this idiom, not ‘volere’.

  • Ti va a cenare stasera?

    The preposition after ‘va’ is ‘di’, not ‘a’.

  • Ti va di cena stasera?

    ‘Cena’ is a noun; you need the infinitive ‘cenare’ after ‘di’.

↔Alternatives

  • Vuoi cenare stasera?

    Do you want to have dinner tonight?

  • Ti va di mangiare fuori stasera?

    Do you feel like eating out tonight?

  • Che ne dici di una cena stasera?

    How about a dinner tonight?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, dinner is usually served later than in many other countries, often around 8–9 p.m. When you say ‘Ti va di…’, you’re showing respect for the other person’s schedule and preferences. It’s common to follow the invitation with a specific time and place, because Italians appreciate clear plans for social meals.