Learn Italian: Quando mi rispondi? - When do you answer me?

Quando mi rispondi?

When do you answer me?

Breakdown of Quando mi rispondi?

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Questions & Answers about Quando mi rispondi?

Why does mi come before the verb instead of after it?

In Italian, object pronouns like mi usually go right before the conjugated verb. So instead of saying 'you answer me' like we do in English, Italian says 'to me you answer' (mi rispondi).

Does mi mean 'me' or 'to me' in this sentence?

Here, it means 'to me.' The Italian verb rispondere (to answer or reply) requires an indirect object, meaning you answer to someone. So mi is acting as an indirect object pronoun, which fits perfectly with this lesson's focus.

Where is the word for 'you' in this sentence?

It is built into the verb! The -i ending of rispondi tells us it is the tu (informal you) form. Italian often drops subject pronouns because the verb ending makes it clear who is doing the action.

Could I say Quando rispondi a me instead?

Yes, you can. Using a me after the verb puts special emphasis on the person being answered, like asking 'When are you going to answer ME?'. But for a standard, everyday question, using the short pronoun mi before the verb is much more natural and common.