Italian · Real conversations
How to respond to “Ti va di venire a cena?” in Italian
An invitation can be accepted, declined, clarified, or considered. Make your response clear enough for the other person to plan.
What you might hear
Ti va di venire a cena?
Would you like to come to dinner?
Choose a reply that fits
Molto volentieri.
I'd love to.
Accept warmly when you can attend.
Grazie, ma non posso.
Thanks, but I can't.
Decline politely without an invented excuse.
A che ora comincia?
What time does it start?
Ask for practical information before deciding.
Posso farti sapere domani?
Can I let you know tomorrow?
Ask for time and name when you can respond.
Two short exchanges
An invitation to dinner
Ti va di venire a cena?
Would you like to come to dinner?
Molto volentieri.
I'd love to.
A group invitation
Ti va di unirti a noi domani?
Would you like to join us tomorrow?
Grazie, ma non posso.
Thanks, but I can't.
Your turn
Ask when the event begins before you decide.
Reveal a sample reply
A che ora comincia?
What time does it start?
This response guide in other languages
A note on speaking Italian
Use tu with friends and Lei with someone you address formally. A request with vorrei or potrebbe can soften the tone; it still helps to say what you need clearly. The examples label the situation so you can choose the appropriate relationship.
Read doubled consonants distinctly and keep the written accents. The English translation explains the intended message; Italian often chooses a different construction rather than matching each English word.
