Here are some examples of the expression Che c'entra (what does that have to do with it)?  along with related expressions and alternate translations. 

Note that in Italian, che c'entra can be posed and structured as question, but it's not always the case, especially in the middle of a sentence. It often connects to the rest of a sentence with a comma, such as in this first example. In English, it's clearer with a question mark. Sometimes che c'entra means the same as non c'entra niente. 

Che c'entra, io sono il fratello.

What does that have to do with it? I'm her brother.

Caption 13, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore S1 EP2 Come piante fra sassi - Part 6

 Play Caption

 

Here, cosa is used in place of che, but it means the same thing. Learn more in this lesson. 

Ma questo cosa c'entra con la domanda che Le ho fatto?

But this, what does it have to do with the question I asked you?

Caption 72, Non è mai troppo tardi EP1 - Part 6

 Play Caption

 

Here, rather than "it" being the implied subject of the sentence, as in the previous examples, the subject is "that delinquent." We might also translate it as, "How is that delinquent involved in this story?" 

Perché, cosa c'entra quel delinquente?

Why? What does that delinquent have to do with anything?

Caption 29, Il Commissario Manara S2EP11 - Uno strano incidente di caccia - Part 3

 Play Caption

 

Here, che c'entra is a way of saying, "So what?"

Ah ma', ma te [romanesco: mamma, ma ti] sei vista? Ma che c'entra, è una maschera di bellezza.

Hey, Mom, but have you looked at yourself? But so what? It's a beauty mask.

Captions 16-17, La Ladra EP. 10 - Un ignobile ricatto - Part 4

 Play Caption

 

Here are some examples of different conjugations of this expression:

In this example, there is no question at all. And there is no che!

Magari c'entra con quella bambina.

Maybe it has something to do with that little girl.

Caption 60, Il Commissario Manara S2EP11 - Uno strano incidente di caccia - Part 9

 Play Caption

 

Here is an example of an affirmation in the negative first person singular.

Io con quella pistola non c'entro niente, ve lo giuro.

I have nothing to do with that handgun, I swear.

Caption 91, Provaci ancora prof! S2E5 Vita da cani - Part 13

 Play Caption

 

And here is a question in the first person singular followed by an affirmation in the second person singular.  

E che c'entro io? -E be', c'entri.

And what do I have to do with it? -Well, you do have something to do with it.

Captions 12-13, Un medico in famiglia Stagione 3 S3 EP2 - Un nuovo medico in famiglia - Part 17

 Play Caption

Here is the same question, but the answer is said differently, with another question. 

Ma io che c'entro? -Ma come che c'entri, Giorgio?

But what do I have to do with that? -But what do you mean, what do you have to do with it, Giorgio?

Captions 33-34, Moscati, l'amore che guarisce EP 2 - Part 5

 Play Caption

 

These examples use the imperfetto. 

Figurati se non c'entrava lei.

No way she wasn't involved.

Caption 13, Provaci ancora prof! S2E4 L'amica americana - Part 25

 Play Caption

 

Ma che c'entravo io con quello che faceva mio padre?

But what did I have to do with what my father did?

Caption 38, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone EP2 Rabbia - Part 6

 Play Caption

 

We hope this little overview has given you a better understanding of this common Italian turn of phrase!

banner PLACEHOLDER