Expert: Francesco Marchesani - 6/8/2009

Question
Hi Francesco,

Can you please help me translate the question below into English:


“Lei poi che c'entra?”
 
I consulted various dictionaries,  but I can't still figure exactly how “che” is used above.

I'm also wondering if it's right to paraphrase it to
“che c'entra lei poi ?” and “che c'entra poi lei?”



Thanks

Eli

Answer
Hello,
"lei poi che c'entra?" can be translated as "what's her part in it?" or "does she has anything to do with it?". It's an idiomatic expression, literally it means "what for does she enter into it?".
"Che" can be substituted with "che cosa": "lei poi che cosa c'entra?", it's the same usage as in "che cosa mangi?" - i.e. it just means "what".

It's also perfectly ok to paraphrase it by moving the "poi" word in different positions, as you did.