10 ways to say “What's wrong?” in Italian

Have you ever been eager to chat in Italian but didn't know how to start? Well, you know what to say”What's going on?“” in Italian is a very handy skill that opens the door to casual communication. Seriously, it’s amazing how often this simple phrase can help you spark some interesting conversations!

So, ready to break the Italian ice? Below, I will share 10 ways to use “What's going on?” in Italian. Whether you’re chatting with friends or attending a more formal gathering, these expressions will help you sound natural and confident when greeting people.

1. How is it?

How is it going? is the most common statement What's going on? Italian for any casual encounter. its literal meaning is How's it going?and Virginia is the third person singular of the verb go (go), giving the verb an impersonal air, making it super versatile. You can use it in any social situation as it is unisex in form and gender. Whether you're talking to one person or an entire team, things get simple:

In Italian it is also common to use this expression in the first person plural form, e.g. How are we doing? (How are we doing?), keeping its friendly and generic tone:

To show more enthusiasm or curiosity, try asking How is life? (How is life?) or How's it going? (How's it going?), perfect for following up after a while and showing genuine interest:

2. How are you? / Are you OK?

this is classic Are you OK?perfect for friends and acquaintances. These questions provide a more direct and personal contact than general questions How is it going? they use verbs stare (literally “to stay”), adjust to your object. Are you OK? is informal and used with friends and family, while Are you OK? Formal and polite, appropriate for elders, acquaintances, or anyone you want to show respect for.

According to the context, Are you OK? / Are you OK? You can also use this meaning to ask about your own well-being How do you feel?:

3. What is it like?

As? is a short, lively, ultra-casual version How is it goinga slang term particularly popular in certain areas of northern Italy. So be careful: using it in other parts of the country may raise eyebrows – and whatnot How is it? – How is it? So, choose your moments wisely!

You can also add then (So) Ease into the chat with a friendly nudge before the question:

4. What did they say?

Literally translated as What are you saying?, What are you saying? It's a casual way of asking What's going on? Italian. It is very informal and can be used to ask someone about what is going on or more generally about current events. Imagine you are calling a friend in Milan and are eager to learn about his life in the city. You may ask:

5.What can you tell me? / What did he tell me?

when you want to ask What's going on? In Italian, to really understand what someone is doing, you can use What can you tell me? This informal phrase revolves around the verb Tell (Tell, restate) and often associated with then (so):

If a more polite approach is required, you can use the polite form What did he tell me? This version is especially appropriate when talking to an older person you know well and wish to respect:

6. What’s new?

Now, there is a sentence close to my heart—— novel? its literal meaning is any news? Whenever I visit my grandmother, she always asks this question. This is what she said, Tell me about all the new and exciting things in your life! This expression is perfect when you want to connect with friends or family and are eager to know what they are up to:

If you're not in the mood to share details about your life, you can simply reply Nothing new (Nothing new). This is a polite way of saying there is nothing noteworthy to report.

7. How is it going?

how's it going? is pure youth slang for connecting with friends in the most laid-back way possible. It is constructed around the third person singular of the verb throw away (leave) and literally translated as How was the throw? I know, this may sound weird in English, but it's like saying What's going on? That extra chill vibe.

Some interesting things to note in this example: bella It has nothing to do with beauty, it's a slang term goodbyeand laga is the abbreviation boys (guys). Put them together and then beautiful girl This is how an Italian teenager starts a conversation with a group of friends!

8. Is everything okay? / Is everything okay?

These phrases mean Is everything okay? or Are you okay?go beyond casual conversation starters; they are a real way to show that you care about the well-being of others. Imagine you notice that your friend has been unusually quiet lately – you might touch him gently and say:

Please note that this question is not just a simple question What's going on? Italian; it's a way to show Luca you're there and maybe even spark a conversation about his new job.

9. Is everything okay?

A similar expression is Is everything okay?literally Is everything in place? – Kind of like asking, Is everything in your world where it should be? Again, whether you're offering help to a friend who looks down or to a stranger who seems a little lost, this shows you care:

10. What will happen?

What will happen? (Literally, What will happen?“” is your first choice when you want to know if something is wrong or if someone needs a shoulder to cry on. This question applies in all situations, whether you're connecting with a friend, comforting an upset child, or approaching a stranger with a friendly face:

Valentina Nicastro He is a travel writer who loves his motherland, Italy. After traveling around the world, she realized there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put her passport aside for the time being. When she's not immersed in documenting Italy, you'll find her donning her hat as a communications consultant, weaving words as a content writer and bridging language gaps as a translator.