Declarative Coordinating Conjunctions in Italian introduce an elaboration or an explanation of a previously mentioned topic. In other words, the information that follows a conjunction of this type helps paint a clearer picture of something stated earlier in the sentence:
In the example above, the conjunction ossia introduces information about the speaker’s mother and his/her relationship with her.
The set of declarative coordinating conjunctions we will explore in this lesson is as follows:
cioè = that is, that is to say, i.e., namely
infatti = indeed, in fact, as a matter of fact
ovvero = that is, in other words
ossia = that is, namely, or rather
In addition to the single-word conjunctions listed above, we’ll also focus on a selection of declarative conjunctive phrases, which are groups of words acting as conjunctions:
vale a dire = that is to say, in other words
in effetti = in fact, actually
in realtà = actually
| Ho parlato del problema con mia madre, ossia l'unica persona al mondo di cui mi fido. I spoke of the problem with my mother, or rather/namely, the only person in the world whom I trust. |
In the example above, the conjunction ossia introduces information about the speaker’s mother and his/her relationship with her.
The set of declarative coordinating conjunctions we will explore in this lesson is as follows:
cioè = that is, that is to say, i.e., namely
infatti = indeed, in fact, as a matter of fact
ovvero = that is, in other words
ossia = that is, namely, or rather
Cioè
Cioè is a very common conjunction in Italian which means namely, that is, that is to say or i.e. It further specifies a previous statement:| Noi vedremo il film il 6 gennaio, cioè il giorno della première; e voi? We will see the movie on the 6th of January, that is to say, the day of the première; what about you guys? |
Infatti
Infatti as a conjunction is often translated as indeed and serves to reaffirm what was mentioned, or to shed light on a new piece of information that supports the aforementioned statement:| A Domenico è piaciuto tantissimo quello che hai cucinato l’altra sera, infatti mi ha detto di chiederti la ricetta! Domenico loved what you cooked the other night, indeed he told me to ask you for the recipe! |
Ovvero
Ovvero, in addition to its disjunctive form, can also be a declarative conjunction. It is synonymous with cioè and ossia, and means that is/ in other words:| Le isole d’Italia, ovvero la Sardegna e la Sicilia, sono luoghi perfetti per passare l’estate. The islands of Italy, that is, Sardinia and Sicily, are perfect places to spend the summer. |
Ossia
Ossia most closely translates to that is or namely:| A Marta piacciono i cani piccoli, ossia i carlini, i chihuahua, e i bassotti. Marta likes small dogs, namely, pugs, chihuahuas and dachshunds. |
In addition to the single-word conjunctions listed above, we’ll also focus on a selection of declarative conjunctive phrases, which are groups of words acting as conjunctions:
vale a dire = that is to say, in other words
in effetti = in fact, actually
in realtà = actually
| L’approvazione del bilancio autunnale è una questione urgente, vale a dire, deve essere discussa entro la metà di agosto. The approval of the fall budget is a time-sensitive issue, in other words, it needs to be discussed by mid-August. Non avevi ragione, in effetti avevi completamente torto. You were not correct, in fact/actually, you were completely wrong. Non ho voglia di assaggiare i salumi, in realtà di solito non mangio molta carne. I don’t feel like trying the salami, actually I usually don’t eat a lot of meat. |