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PhrasesRelationship ConversationsCosa vuoi dalla vita?
A2informal

Cosa vuoi dalla vita?

What do you want from life?

Pronunciation

CO-sa VWOI dal-la VI-ta — stress on 'co-', 'vwoi', 'dal-', 'vi-'. 'Vuoi' is one syllable.

When to use it

A fundamental relationship conversation — exploring compatibility through life goals and values.

What it means

'Cosa vuoi dalla vita' = what do you want from life. 'Vuoi' = you want (from 'volere'). 'Dalla vita' = from life (da + la = dalla). This question opens conversation about purpose, direction, and compatibility.

Variations

Dove ti vedi tra cinque anni?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

More specific time frame — practical vision of the future

Cosa è importante per te nella vita?

What is important to you in life?

Values rather than goals — what matters, not what you want

Hai un sogno che vuoi realizzare?

Do you have a dream you want to realise?

The big ambition question — reveals deepest desires

Mini Dialogue

— Cosa vuoi davvero dalla vita? — Una bella domanda. Voglio stare bene, amare qualcuno, fare un lavoro che mi dia senso. — Niente di straordinario? — No — le cose ordinarie, vissute profondamente, sono le più straordinarie. — Concordo completamente.

— What do you really want from life? — What a question. I want to be well, to love someone, to do work that gives me meaning. — Nothing extraordinary? — No — ordinary things, lived deeply, are the most extraordinary. — I completely agree.

Cultural Note

Italian life philosophy tends to value depth over breadth — 'vivere bene' (living well) is a phrase that encompasses family, food, friendship, and meaningful work. The idea that the ordinary, lived fully, is extraordinary is very Italian — rooted in the Mediterranean tradition of 'la dolce vita'.