AboutFrancesco Marchesani Expertise I`m interested and have deep knowledge in Italian history, traditions and culture. I can answer your questions on my country`s language and literature, as well as Latin language and literature.
Experience I live in Pavia (northern Italy, near Milan) and have strong interests in my country's history.
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.
