When on your journey to learn Italian, it is important to note the use of Italian connectors. Remember that the Italian word to refer to connectors is connettivi. Italian connectors are really simple and easy to remember. They are also fun to use so why not learn Italian using a simple way. They may look similar but have subtle differences when you use them.
In this article, we will look into various Italian connectors normally used. So, if you are learning Italian, keep reading.
BASIC ITALIAN CONNECTORS
These Italian connectors can be grouped from basic to complex according to your needs. They will help you to be understood as you speak Italian like you were born to speak it!
Let it be understood that the connectors we are talking about are simply Italian linking words. They make sentences sound better just by tying the words together.
For example:
John non è stato invitato a casa di Kate. Non le sta simpatico. (John wasn’t invited to Kate’s house. She doesn’t like him.)
Or you could say;
John non è stato invitato a casa di Kate perché non le sta simpatico (John wasn’t invited to Kate’s house because/since she doesn’t like him.)
Both sentences say the same thing but while the first version is a little chunky the other sentence sounds smoother. Italian connectors are the key to fluency.
These are the basic Italian connectors:
- Perché – because
Non ho studiato perche’ stavo male – I didn’t study because I was unwell.
- Poiché – Because, Since
Ieri non sono uscita poiché ero troppo stanca – Yesterday I didn’t go out because I was too tired
- Insomma – So, Therefore, In conclusion
Insomma, il suo problema non e’ chiaro – In conclusion, his/her problem isn’t clear.
- Anche se – Even if
Domani uscirò anche se piove – Tomorrow I’m going out even if it rains
- Quindi –Therefore, So
Quindi venite alla festa? – So, are you coming to the party?
- Difatti, Infatti – In fact, Indeed
Non ho studiato e difatti non ho superato l’esame – I didn’t study and in fact, I failed the exam.
Many more connectors fall in this category and can be used to learn Italian but let’s first look at other Italian linking words referring to time.
CONNECTORS OF TIME
They are used in a sentence in relation to something happening at a particular time meaning that something happened before, during, or after a specified time. Talking of Italian connectors of time, the short ones are especially pretty important.
- Prima – Before or Earlier
- Dopo – After or Later
Va bene, chiamami dopo – Fine, call me later.
- Qualche giorno/mese/anno fa – Some days /months/years ago
L’ho visto qualche mese fa – I saw him a few/some months ago.
- Una Volta – One time, Once
Ho visto questo film solamente una volta – I only saw this movie once.
- A quei tempi – In those days
Uscivamo insieme a quei tempi – We used to go out together in those days.
COMPLEX ITALIAN CONNECTORS
These Italian connectors, also known as Italian linking words, are grouped together because they have many meanings and can be used in many different ways.
- Siccome, Dato Che, Visto Che – Seeing As, Given that, Since
Volevo essere onesta, visto che siamo amici – I wanted to be honest, seeing as we are friends.
- Comunque – Anyway, However, Whichever way
This Italian linking word is used often and it’s also easy to use. The benefit of comunque is that you can use it as much as you like and most of the time it will be correct and sound okay.
Comunque, non ti preoccupare, io ti aiuterò – Anyway, don’t worry, I will help you.
- Innanzitutto, Prima di tutto – First of all, Before anything
Innanzitutto, voglio parlare con te – First of all, I want to talk with you.
- Cioè – Meaning that, Which means
Sono arrivato il 13, cioè venerdì – I arrived on the 13th meaning Friday.
Remember that you don’t need to learn by heart the whole Italian connectors list but just a few Italian linking words will help you to sound a bit like a native.
Do you want to learn more Italian? Discover how to use Italian prepositions!