Over the course of this lesson we will delve deeper into the scope and semantic nature of two monosyllables which we have already come to know in our previous lessons:
che and
se. Despite their formal simplicity, these are complex, multifaceted elements of speech which can play a variety of syntactic roles in a sentence. Outlined below is a comprehensive overview:
CHE
declarative che - that
Gli dirò che ho cambiato idea.
I’ll tell him I changed my mind.
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causative che (informal) - since
Prendi le chiavi della macchina che andiamo a fare un giro.
Get your car keys, we’re going for a ride.
(Get your car keys since we’re going for a ride).
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purpose-oriented che (informal) - that
Fai attenzione che il vaso non cada.
Be careful that the vase does not fall over. |
consequential che - that
Era così nervoso che passò il pomeriggio fumando una sigaretta dopo l’altra.
He was so anxious that he spent the afternoon chain-smoking.
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time-based che - since
Sono anni che non vedo mia cugina.
It has been years since I last saw my cousin.
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comparative che - than
Prevenire è meglio che curare.
Prevention is better than a cure.
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exception-expressing che - (no fixed translation in English)
Francesca non pensa che a divertirsi.
Francesca only wants to have fun.
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limitation-expressing che - as far as
Che io sappia, lei non abita più qui.
As far as I know, she doesn’t live here anymore.
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In addition to functioning as a conjunction, “che” can play a variety of other syntactic roles.
Namely:
“Che” can act as a
relative pronoun, both as the subject of a dependent clause:
Ti presento gli amici spagnoli che sono venuti a trovarmi.
Let me introduce you to the friends from Spain who came to see me.
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And as the direct object of a dependent clause:
Ti presento gli amici spagnoli che ho conosciuto ieri sera.
Let me introduce you to the kids from Spain whom I met last night.
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Additionally:
“Che” can take on the role of
interrogative pronoun, appearing in both direct interrogative clauses:
Che stai facendo?
What are you doing?
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And indirect interrogative clauses:
Dimmi che stai facendo.
Tell what you are doing.
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“Che” can as well be an
interrogative adjective, appearing in both direct interrogative clauses:
Che abito indosserai questa sera?
Which dress will you be wearing tonight?
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And indirect interrogative clauses:
Mi chiedo che abito abbia scelto per la cena di questa sera.
I wonder which dress she has chosen for tonight’s dinner party.
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Finally:
In the Italian language, “che” can also be an exclamatory pronoun:
Che bella serata!
What a nice evening!
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As well as an exclamatory adjective:
Che coincidenza!
What a coincidence!
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SE
conditional se - if
The conjunction “se” can act as a conditional subordinating conjunction, both in sentences expressing logical deductions or factual implications (i.e., sentences expressing universal statements, predictable patterns of behavior, scientific laws, etc.):
Se ti ha telefonato subito, significa che moriva dalla voglia di vederti.
If she called you immediately, it means she was dying to see you.
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And in hypothetical constructions expressing:
Reality:Se vogliono partecipare al progetto, si metteranno in contatto con noi.
If they want to join the project, they will get in touch with us.
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Unlikely scenarios:Se sapessi suonare la chitarra, mi unirei a voi sul palco.
If I could play the guitar, I would be joining you on stage.
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Impossible scenarios:Se avessi saputo dello sciopero ferroviario, avrei scelto di viaggiare in aereo.
If I had known about the rail strike, I would have chosen to travel by plane.
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causative se - if, since
Se Andrea è qui, sarebbe bello che ci aiutasse a disegnare il progetto.
Since Andrea is here, it would be nice if he helped us draw the blueprint.
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concessive se - even if
Non verrei alla festa (anche) se mi invitassero formalmente.
I wouldn’t come to the party (even) if they formally invited me.
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interrogative se - whether
Devo ancora decidere se viaggiare in macchina o in treno.
I have yet to decide whether to travel by car or train.
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