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PhrasesAt a PartyCosa bevi? Ti offro qualcosa.
A1informal

Cosa bevi? Ti offro qualcosa.

What are you drinking? I will get you something.

Pronunciation

'Bevi' = BE-vi. 'Offro' = OF-fro, stress on first syllable.

When to use it

Use this as a warm opener at a party to offer a drink and initiate conversation. Offering a drink is one of the most natural and least intrusive ways to approach someone you don't know at an Italian social gathering.

What it means

'Offrire qualcosa' (to offer/treat someone to something) implies paying for or fetching the drink. 'Cosa bevi?' is slightly different from 'cosa vuoi bere?' — 'bevi' refers to what they are drinking now, 'vuoi bere' to what they want.

Variations

Hai già qualcosa da bere?

Do you already have something to drink?

Checking before offering — polite and observant

Prendo qualcosa anche per te?

Shall I get something for you too?

Offering while going to get your own drink

C'è del vino ottimo stasera — assaggi?

There is excellent wine tonight — shall you try?

Offering a specific drink recommendation

Mini Dialogue

— Cosa bevi? Ti offro qualcosa. — Oh grazie! Prendo volentieri un prosecco. — Ottima scelta! Torno subito. — Sei molto gentile. E il tuo nome è? — Marco. E tu?

— What are you drinking? I will get you something. — Oh thank you! I will gladly have a prosecco. — Excellent choice! I will be right back. — You are very kind. And your name is? — Marco. And you?

Cultural Note

At Italian parties, the aperitivo hour typically features prosecco, Aperol Spritz, Campari Spritz, and negroni. These drinks are so embedded in Italian social culture that offering one is almost an act of cultural initiation. 'Ci beviamo su?' (shall we drink to that?) is used to celebrate any small occasion.