cosa

/ˈkɔ.za/noun · feminine / pronounA1

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Meaning · noun

thing

Questa cosa è molto importante.
This thing is very important.

Non capisco questa cosa.
I don't understand this thing.

Hai preso le mie cose dal tavolo?
Did you take my things from the table?

Word forms (2)

Word	Word forms
cosa	feminine · singular
cose	feminine · plural

Use 'cosa' for general or abstract things; 'oggetto' for physical items.
Avoid overusing 'cosa'—Italians often omit it: 'Che vuoi?' instead of 'Che cosa vuoi?'.
In questions, 'che cosa' and 'cosa' are interchangeable, but 'cosa' is more informal.

what?

Cosa vuoi mangiare stasera?
What do you want to eat tonight?

Non so cosa hai detto prima.
I don't know what you said before.

Cosa hai detto?
What did you say?

Word forms (1)

Word	Word forms
cosa

Use 'cosa' for general 'what?' questions. Use 'che' for 'what' before nouns or 'che cosa' for emphasis.
Never say 'cosa che'—it’s redundant. Just use 'che' or 'cosa' alone.
In questions, 'cosa' often contracts to 'cos’è' (what is it?). No apostrophe in 'cos’è'—it’s one word.