magari
Italian
Etymology
From Greek μακάρι (makári, “I wish”), which is derived from Ancient Greek μακάριος (makários, “blessed, happy”).[1] Compare Portuguese macar (“although”, conjunction), Spanish maguer (“although”, conjunction) and Romanian măcar (“even”, adverb).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /maˈɡa.ri/
Audio (file) - Rhymes: -ari
- Hyphenation: ma‧gà‧ri
Adverb
magari
Usage notes
- In some cases forse cannot be used as a synonym:[2]
- to make a suggestion or give advice:
- Magari ci vediamo per le 9 ― Shall we meet around 9?
- Magari va' all'arco di trionfo, c'è un bel panorama lì. ― You should go to the Arc de Triomphe, there's a beautiful panaroma.
- to speculate about a slight possibility, in the meaning “you never know”:
- Prendi una giacca che magari lì all'aperto fa freddo. ― Take a jacket, it might be cold outside.
- to make an additional wish or request, in the sense of “possibly”, “ideally” or “it would be nice”:
- Vorrei tanto una villa, magari con piscina. ― I'd really like to own a villa, ideally one with a pool.
- to make a suggestion or give advice:
- In some cases forse can be used but changes the meaning:
- Magari vado al cinema domani. ― I might go the cinema tomorrow.
- Forse vado al cinema domani. ― Perhaps I [can] go the cinema tomorrow.
- In the first example magari expresses a personal intention or desire, whereas forse indicates that the speaker has less control over the eventual outcome of the event.
- Magari can also express an optimistic hope:
- Magari c'è posto. ― I hope there is room.
- Forse c'è posto. ― Maybe there is room.
Conjunction
magari
Interjection
magari
- (colloquial) of course!; you bet!
- (colloquial) used to express the speaker's wish that the preceding statement were true; I wish!; if only!; yeah right!
Usage notes
- The intonation is key to distinguish between the senses.[3]
References
- Angelo Prati, "Vocabolario Etimologico Italiano", Torino, 1951
- Davide Gemello (2018 July 16) “Ma come si usa “magari”?! – Usi colloquiali #14”, in Podcast Italiano
- Davide Gemello (2018 February 10) “Mi sa che, magari!, ci sta – Usi colloquiali #8”, in Podcast Italiano
Maore Comorian
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