Non capisco cosa mi sta chiedendo.

I don't understand what you are asking me.

Pronunciation

kye-DEN-doh — 'chi' makes a 'k' sound before 'e/i'; the 'h' is silent.

When to use it

Use when a police officer's question is unclear. Do not guess or invent answers — misunderstandings in a police statement can have serious consequences.

What it means

The formal 'mi sta chiedendo' (you are asking me — Lei form) is appropriate when addressing a police officer. Admitting you don't understand is legally safer than guessing.

Variations

Può ripetere più lentamente?

Can you repeat more slowly?

Requests slower speech — most useful technique under pressure.

Non ho capito l'ultima parte.

I didn't understand the last part.

Specifies what was missed — shows you are following partially.

Può scrivere la domanda?

Can you write the question?

Useful if you understand written Italian better than spoken.

Mini Dialogue

— Ha visto se aveva una targa personalizzata? — Non capisco cosa mi sta chiedendo. — Intendo: la targa del motorino aveva lettere o numeri particolari? — Ah, capisco. Sì, iniziava con AB.

— Did you notice if it had a personalised plate? — I don't understand what you are asking me. — I mean: did the scooter's plate have particular letters or numbers? — Ah, I understand. Yes, it started with AB.

Cultural Note

Italian licence plates (targhe) follow the format: two letters, three numbers, two letters (e.g., AB123CD). Knowing this helps you give useful descriptions even if you only saw part of the plate.

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Vedo del sangue. Qualcuno è ferito.

C'è una persona scomparsa.

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