Cioè is one of those words Italians throw into conversation all the time. It can take different translations in English depending on the context, but it always does the same job: it adds, clarifies or corrects something that was just said.
In short
- Cioè (pronounced cho-EH) means that is, I mean or in other words. You use it to clarify, correct or add details.
- Alone, as a question, Cioè? means “Meaning?” or “Like what?”: you’re asking for more details.
- In writing it works like i.e.: tre giorni, cioè 72 ore.
- In casual speech, especially among young people, it’s also a filler word, like “I mean” or “like”.
- Don’t confuse it with ciò (that, what): different word, different stress.
What does cioè mean?
Fun fact: cioè is literally ciò è, “that is”, glued into one word. Here are its uses at a glance:
| Use | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Clarify or explain | that is, i.e. | Ci vediamo dopodomani, cioè giovedì. |
| Correct yourself | I mean | Alle 3… cioè alle 4! |
| Ask for details | Meaning? Like what? | “Mi sveglio prestissimo.” “Cioè?” |
| Filler in casual speech | I mean, like | Cioè, non so, è strano. |
Cioè? as a question: “Meaning?”, “Like what?”
When cioè is a question, often the only word in it, you’re asking someone to be more precise.
- “Mi sveglio sempre prestissimo.” “Cioè?” “Cioè alle sei.”
“I always wake up super early.” “Meaning?” “Like, at six.” - “Martina è una poliglotta, parla un sacco di lingue.” “Cioè?” “Ne parla almeno sei.”
“Martina is a polyglot, she speaks a ton of languages.” “Like how many?” “At least six.”
Cioè in a sentence: “that is”, “I mean”
In a statement, cioè introduces a clarification, a correction or a stronger way to say the same thing.
- Sono veramente arrabbiata, cioè, furiosa.
I’m really mad. I mean, furious. - Ci vediamo alle 3… cioè alle 4, mi sono confusa.
See you at 3… I mean at 4, I got confused. - È stata una giornata lunghissima, cioè, abbiamo lavorato 14 ore!
It was such a long day. I mean, we worked 14 hours! - Il corso dura tre mesi, cioè fino a marzo.
The course lasts three months, that is, until March.
Cioè as a filler word
Listen to Italian teenagers and you’ll hear cioè every few seconds, a bit like “like” or “I mean” in English: Cioè, tipo, non so… It’s perfectly natural in casual speech, but don’t overdo it in a job interview! Discover more in my guide to Italian filler words.
Cioè and its synonyms
| Word | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cioè | everyday, spoken and written | Arrivo tardi, cioè verso le dieci. |
| ovvero | more formal, written | Il CILS, ovvero la certificazione di Siena. |
| ossia | formal, written | Il capoluogo, ossia la città principale. |
| vale a dire | neutral to formal | Due settimane, vale a dire quattordici giorni. |
| in altre parole | neutral | In altre parole, non hai capito niente! |
Cioè vs ciò: the difference
Cioè is often confused with ciò, which has a different meaning and a different stress: ciò (CHO) vs cioè (cho-EH).
Ciò is a pronoun meaning “that” or “what”, and it’s common in formal and written Italian. Ciò che means the same as quello che, just more formal. Read more about it in my guide to ciò.
| Formal (ciò) | Informal (quello) | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ciò che mi fa arrabbiare è che… | Quello che mi fa arrabbiare è che… | What drives me crazy is that… |
| Questo non è ciò che ti avevo detto di fare. | Questo non è quello che ti avevo detto di fare. | This is not what I told you to do. |
| Ciò che voglio dirti è… | Quello che voglio dirti è… | What I want to tell you is… |
Like this kind of little word? Read about another tricky one: anzi.
Practice with my stories
Words like cioè live in conversation. Stories with plenty of dialogue are the easiest way to hear how Italians really use them.
Due Amiche e un Album di Fotografie
Level A1
Two friends, an old photo album and a trip through southern Italy.
Cioccolato, Amore e Torino
Level B1+
Marie’s journey continues in Turin, between love, creativity and chocolate.
Piazzetta Italiana
Level A2/B1
My magazine for learners: real articles about Italian culture and everyday life, with vocabulary and audio.
Frequently asked questions
What does cioè mean in Italian?
Cioè means that is, I mean or in other words. Italians use it to clarify, correct or add details to what was just said.
What does Cioè? mean as a question?
On its own, Cioè? means Meaning? or Like what? It asks the other person to be more specific.
What is the difference between cioè and ciò?
Cioè (stress on the last e) means that is or I mean. Ciò (stress on the o) is a pronoun meaning that or what, as in ciò che, a more formal version of quello che.
Is cioè formal or informal?
Both. It’s correct in writing, like i.e., and very common in conversation. In casual speech it’s also used as a filler word. For formal writing you can also use ovvero or ossia.
How do you pronounce cioè?
Cho-EH, with the stress on the final è.
