dimmi

Dimmi is an Italian expression formed by the verb dire in its informal second-person singular imperative combined with the clitic pronoun mi (me). The phrase Literally means “tell me” or “say to me,” and is used to prompt someone to provide information or clarification. The base verb dire means to say or to tell.

Usage and examples: Dimmi is common in everyday conversation. It can stand alone as an exhortation (Dimmi!) or be extended with a direct object to specify what to tell, such as Dimmi la verità (Tell me the truth), Dimmi cosa vuoi (Tell me what you want), or Dimmi se vieni (Tell me if you’re coming). The tone ranges from casual to urgent depending on context and intonation.

Formal register: In formal or polite Italian, the corresponding imperative for Lei is Mi dica (Tell me, please), with the pronoun preceding the verb. Dimmi remains restricted to informal speech among peers, friends, or family.

Grammatical notes: Dimmi illustrates the common Italian pattern of attaching a clitic pronoun to an imperative form. The pronoun mi is the first-person singular object, indicating that the action is directed at the speaker. The construction can be extended with additional elements to form more complex requests.

Etymology: The expression derives from dire (to say, to tell) in combination with the clitic pronoun mi. It appears widely in Italian discourse as a concise, direct prompt. Dimmi is also encountered in popular culture, writing, and dialogue as a natural conversational cue.