Intro.
The word "che" is one of the most versatile in the Italian language. We encounter it everywhere: in interrogative sentences, subordinates, comparatives, declaratives... Che meraviglia (What a marvel), Che versatilità! (What versatility!) It's short, but it concentrates a universe of meanings. Precisely for this reason, it can seem difficult to understand for those studying Italian, but learning its main grammatical uses is the first step to mastering it with confidence.
In Italian, "che" can be:
• interrogative adjective or pronoun (Che vuoi? - What do you want?);
• exclamatory adjective (Che bello! - How beautiful!);
• relative pronoun (Il libro che leggi. - The book that you read);
• comparative conjunction (Più forte che veloce. - stronger than fast);
• declarative conjunction (So questo: che Luca arriverà. - I know this: that Luca will arrive);
• Or a simple connector to introduce subjunctive clauses or complex subordinates (Spero che questo post non sia difficile! - I hope this post isn't difficult!).
Using "che" correctly is not just a matter of grammar: it's also a way to approach the logic and musicality of the Italian language. This guide explores every use of "che" with simple explanations, practical examples, and connections to English when possible — to make everything clear, effective, and... very Italian.
1. Interrogative Adjective and Pronoun: "Che" in Italian Questions
The word "che" is widely used in interrogative sentences, both as an interrogative adjective and as an interrogative pronoun. In both cases, it serves to ask questions, direct or indirect, and corresponds in English to "what" or "which," depending on the context.
1.1 As Interrogative Adjective
As an interrogative adjective, "che" always precedes a noun and takes on the meaning of "quale" (which). It's invariable, meaning it never changes form, regardless of the gender or number of the noun it refers to.
Examples:
Che film guardiamo stasera?
What film are we watching tonight?
Che libro stai leggendo in questo periodo?
What book are you reading these days?
1.2 As Interrogative Pronoun
As an interrogative pronoun, "che" replaces a noun and is used directly with the verb. In this case, it has the meaning of "che cosa" (what), and is very frequent in spoken language, where the short and flowing form is preferred.
Examples:
Che facciamo più tardi?
What are we doing later?
Che vuoi dire con quella frase?
What do you mean by that sentence?
1.3 In Indirect Questions
"Che" can also appear in indirect interrogative clauses, that is, subordinate sentences that express a question implicitly. In English they correspond to noun clauses beginning with the question word what or which. In this context, "che" can function as both an adjective and a pronoun. It's used when the subject of the verb in the main clause, the independent clause, and that of the subordinate are different.
Examples:
Non so che voglia fare Andrea dopo cena.
I don't know what Andrea wants to do after dinner.
Mi chiedo che lavoro stia facendo in questo periodo.
I wonder what job he's doing these days.
2. Exclamatory "Che" in Italian Expressions
In Italian, "che" can also be used to introduce exclamation sentences. In this case, it is an exclamatory adjective and serves to express surprise, enthusiasm, indignation, or other strong emotions. It's very frequent in both spoken and written language, especially in informal, familiar, or expressive contexts.
When "che" is used in exclamation sentences, it always precedes a noun and has no interrogative value. It doesn't introduce a question, but an emotional reaction. It's invariable and never changes form, regardless of the gender or number of the noun it refers to. It can also precede adjectives like "bello" (beautiful) or "brutto" (ugly). These adjectives take the gender and number of the nouns they refer to.
The English equivalent is often "What a...!" or simply "How...!", depending on the sentence construction.
Examples:
Che sorpresa!
What a surprise!
Che fatica questa settimana!
What a tiring week!
Che profumo delizioso!
What a delicious fragrance!
Che belli, quei fiori!
How beautiful those flowers are!
This use of "che" is familiar, spontaneous, and very expressive. It can be positive (Che fortuna! - What luck!) or negative (Che disastro! - What a disaster!), depending on intonation and context.
3. Relative Pronoun "Che" in Italian Grammar
When "che" is used as a relative pronoun, it serves to connect two clauses, avoiding repetitions. It replaces a noun already present in the main clause and introduces a relative clause, which provides additional information about the noun itself. It can perform the function of subject or direct object in the relative clause.
The relative pronoun "che" is invariable and is used for both people and things. It's one of the most common tools in the Italian language for building complex and flowing sentences.
In English, it corresponds to "who," "which," or "that," depending on the context.
Examples:
L'autore che sta parlando è molto famoso.
The author who is speaking is very famous.
("che" = l'autore, subject of the subordinate)
Il libro che sto leggendo è molto bello.
The book that I'm reading is very beautiful.
("che" = il libro, direct object of the subordinate)
This construction is neutral and versatile, used in all registers: formal, informal, spoken, and written. It helps avoid repetitions and makes discourse more fluid and natural.
4. Comparative "Che" in Italian Comparisons
In Italian, "che" also serves as a comparative conjunction, introducing the second term of comparison when contrasting two elements. It's used when you want to compare two adjectives, two verbs, or two adverbs referring to the same person, action, or situation.
It's also preferable when comparing quantities of different nature, such as quality against quantity, or two different verbs.
In English, it corresponds to "than," used in constructions like "more than...," "rather than...," etc.
Examples:
Quel dolce è più bello da guardare che buono da mangiare.
That dessert is more beautiful to look at than good to eat.
(comparison between two adjectives)
Preferisco andare a piedi che prendere la macchina.
I prefer walking than taking the car.
(comparison between two verbs)
Ha parlato più lentamente che chiaramente.
He spoke more slowly than clearly.
(comparison between two adverbs)
This use is common and neutral, suitable for both spoken and written language, and allows for complex and nuanced Italian comparisons.
5. Declarative "Che" in Italian Subordinate Clauses
In Italian, the conjunction "che" is used to introduce declarative subordinate clauses, that is, sentences that explain, complete, or clarify the meaning of a noun or pronoun contained in the main clause. In this case, "che" has declarative value and can be accompanied by expressions like "cioè che" (that is) or "e cioè che" (and that is), or appear alone.
The declarative clause is often preceded by a colon, comma, or semicolon, and provides the precise content of what was said, thought, known, feared, hoped, or believed. In many cases, it completes the meaning of a generic noun or demonstrative pronoun like "questo" (this), "quello" (that), "ciò" (what), used vaguely in the main clause.
The verb of the declarative subordinate can be:
• indicative, when describing a real or certain fact;
• subjunctive, when expressing subjectivity or eventuality;
• conditional, when communicating a hypothesis, indirect intention, or possibility.
Examples with indicative:
Sono certa di una sola cosa: che farà freddo.
I'm certain of one thing: that it will be cold.
Ho capito questo: che non gli interessa davvero.
I understood this: that he's not really interested.
Examples with subjunctive:
Spero in questo: che tu venga per tempo.
I hope for this: that you come on time.
Non ho dubbi su una cosa: che lui sia in buona fede.
I have no doubts about one thing: that he's in good faith.
Examples with conditional:
Mi hanno lasciato intendere questo: che sarebbe meglio evitare l'argomento.
They let me understand this: that it would be better to avoid the topic.
Avrei voluto sentir dire una sola cosa: che mi avrebbe aspettato.
I would have liked to hear one thing: that he would wait for me.
The English equivalent of this use is often "that," as in "I know that he will come," "I hope that you understand," "I was told that it would be better."
6. "Che" with Italian Subjunctive Verbs
In Italian, "che" is essential for introducing subordinate noun clauses where the verb takes the subjunctive. This happens when the verb of the main independent clause (called "governing verb") expresses opinion, desire, hope, will, doubt, or fear, or when dealing with impersonal forms.
The subordinate clauses that depend on these verbs are called objective or subjective, depending on the logical function of the subordinate in relation to the main verb.
6.1 Objective Clauses with Italian Subjunctive
Verbs of opinion, doubt, hope, desire and will, and fear introduce objective secondary clauses. These complete the meaning of the main verb because they explain what the speaker's opinions, hopes, desires, or fears are. The subjunctive is used when the subject of the main verb is different from that of the secondary clause.
Examples:
Credo che lei abbia capito tutto.
I think she understood everything.
Temo che Marco si sia perso.
I fear Marco got lost.
Spero che tu venga alla mia festa.
I hope you come to my party.
Desidero che voi siate presenti.
I want you to be present.
Typical verbs that require subordinates with the subjunctive tense are:
• opinion verbs: credere (to believe), pensare (to think), ritenere (to consider);
• doubt verbs: dubitare (to doubt), non essere certi (to not be certain);
• hope verbs: sperare (to hope), augurarsi (to wish);
• will or desire verbs: volere (to want), desiderare (to desire), preferire (to prefer);
• fear verbs: temere (to fear), aver paura (to be afraid).
In English, this type of construction translates to "I hope that...," "I think that...," "I want you to...," although in English the following verb often remains in the indicative.
6.2 Subjective Clauses with Impersonal Forms
Subjective subordinates are introduced by "che" and complete impersonal clauses where the subordinate serves as the logical subject of the clause. Here too, the verb in the subordinate is in the subjunctive mood, because it's a subjective evaluation, not a certain fact.
Typical impersonal forms include:
• forms with the verb "essere": è bello (it's beautiful), è giusto (it's right), è necessario (it's necessary), è importante (it's important);
• other impersonal forms: sembra (it seems), pare (it appears), si dice (it is said), dicono (they say), pensano (they think).
Examples:
È importante che tu arrivi puntuale.
It's important that you arrive on time.
Mi sembra che loro non vogliano partecipare.
It seems to me they don't want to participate.
Dicono che il film sia bellissimo.
They say the film is very beautiful.
Pare che stia per piovere.
It seems it's about to rain.
Here too, English uses constructions like "It is important that...," "It seems that...," "They say that..."
The use of "che" with the subjunctive in these sentences is very common in Italian, although it can be complex for language learners. Recognizing the difference in subjects between the governing and subordinate clauses is fundamental for correctly choosing the verb mood.
7. Advanced "Che" Uses in Italian Grammar
"Che" also performs a fundamental function as a conjunction to introduce subordinate or secondary clauses. In these cases, "che," often joined with other words with which it forms an invariable sequence, connects the main sentence to a secondary sentence. The secondary clauses introduced by "che" can specify time (temporal clauses), a consequence (consecutive clauses), express an exception (exceptive clauses), or highlight an exclusion (exclusive clauses) with respect to the main sentence. The verb in the subordinate clause can be in indicative, subjunctive, or even conditional mood, based on the specific construction or the speaker's intention.
These uses of "che" are particularly common in written language and formal communication, but also appear in spontaneous speech. Recognizing the structure and value of the subordinate is fundamental for choosing the correct verb mood and using "che" precisely.
7.1 Temporal Clauses with "Che"
Temporal subordinates indicate when something happens in relation to the main clause. "Che" is used in some fixed temporal expressions: "prima che" (before), "dopo che" (after), "frattanto che" (while), "fino a che" (until). The verb appears in indicative or subjunctive mood, depending on the conjunction.
Examples:
Prima che tu arrivi, preparo tutto.
Before you arrive, I'll prepare everything.
(subjunctive: action not yet occurred)
Dopo che abbiamo mangiato, siamo usciti.
After we ate, we went out.
(indicative: completed action)
Frattanto che tu prepari il caffè, apparecchio la tavola.
While you prepare coffee, I'll set the table.
(indicative: simultaneous actions)
Fino a che non torni, resterò qui.
Until you return, I'll stay here.
(indicative or subjunctive, according to intention)
7.2 Consecutive Clauses in Italian
Consecutive clauses express the consequence of what's stated in the main clause. The conjunction "che" often follows intensifying adverbs like "tanto" (so much), "così" (so), "talmente" (so much), contained in the main clause, or is part of phrases like "al punto che" (to the point that), "di modo che" (so that), "in modo che" (in such a way that).
Examples (strong construction):
Era così stanco che si è addormentato subito.
He was so tired that he fell asleep immediately.
C'era talmente rumore che non riuscivo a concentrarmi.
There was so much noise that I couldn't concentrate.
Examples (weak construction):
Ha studiato al punto che ha superato l'esame.
He studied to the point that he passed the exam.
Mi ha spiegato tutto in modo che potessi capire.
He explained everything so that I could understand.
Lavorano in maniera che nessuno si senta escluso.
They work in a way that no one feels excluded.
The verb can be in the indicative mood if the consequence is real, in the subjunctive mood if expressing intention, and in the conditional mood if only eventual.
7.3 Exceptive Clauses with "Che"
Exceptive subordinates indicate a single exception to what's expressed in the main clause. Typical conjunctions are "a meno che" (unless) and "tranne che" (except that), always followed by the subjunctive.
Examples:
Non uscirò, a meno che non smetta di piovere.
I won't go out, unless it stops raining.
Ti aspetto per cena, tranne che tu non possa.
I'll wait for you for dinner, unless you can't come.
7.4 Exclusive Clauses in Italian
Exclusive subordinates specify what is not included in the main clause. They're introduced by "senza che" (without), also followed by the subjunctive.
Examples:
Ha fatto tutto da solo, senza che nessuno lo aiutasse.
He did everything alone, without anyone helping him.
Sono usciti senza che io me ne accorgessi.
They left without me noticing.
In English: without (someone) doing something.
Conclusion: Mastering Italian "Che" in All Contexts
The word "che" is a true protagonist of the Italian language: short, but extremely powerful. It can be an adjective, pronoun, conjunction, introductory or reinforcing element. Knowing how to recognize and use it in the right context means mastering one of the most dynamic structures of Italian.
Adriana Rossi is a certified teacher of Italian as a foreign language from Rome, Italy, and has been part of the Giulia team since 2024. With a Modern Literature degree and advanced studies in Modern Philology, she specializes in tracing the origins and evolution of Italian words, bringing expertise in diction and expressive reading to help preserve and share Italy’s linguistic heritage with learners worldwide.
