domandando

Domandando is the gerundio presente of the Italian verb domandare, meaning “asking” or “the act of asking.” As a gerund, domandando can indicate an action happening simultaneously with another or describe the manner in which something is done. In contemporary Italian, it is most often found in literary, formal, or historical contexts; in everyday speech, chiedere is typically preferred for “to ask.”

Etymology and sense

Domandare derives from Latin demandare, through the development of Old Italian. The related noun domanda means “question” or “request.” The gerund domandando expresses the act of asking itself, and can cover information requests, inquiries, or formal petitions, depending on context. The sense of formality or antiquated tone can be greater when domandare is used, compared with the more common chiedere.

Usage notes

The gerund is generally used with appropriate auxiliary verbs to convey ongoing action, or to provide a descriptive frame: e.g., Stava domandando indicazioni. In many modern contexts, speakers might choose chiedendo instead (Stava chiedendo indicazioni) for a more natural register. Domandare can also carry nuances of formality or emphasis on the act of asking as a request rather than a simple inquiry.

See also

Domanda, chiedere, domandare as a broader family of verbs related to asking and requesting.