Our many readers and Followers on Facebook always asked to be thenlet’s get straight to it!
then is a very flexible word because it can be used as an adverb, conjunction, or adjective, depending on how it is used in a sentence. We have divided this post into three parts so that we can analyze each part of speech in more depth.
‘Allora’ as an adverb
when then Used as an adverb, it usually translates in English as one of the following:
- (back) and then
- then
- at that moment
- those days
several common expressions then Used in this sense include:
- then then = at that moment, at that moment
- then like then = then
- Since then) = From that moment, from then on, from then on
- since then / since then = Since then, in those days
- When = that time
- until then = until then
- the same today as then = now as then
Let’s look at a few example sentences to better understand how then Used in context.
then I don’t understand why Antonio doesn’t want to go there.
then I don’t understand why Antonio doesn’t want to go.
then They used to keep everything on floppy disks.
at that time They used to keep everything on floppy disks.
“Allora” as an adjective
used as an adjective, then Can also describe someone/something that originated from or belonged to a certain time or era.In this case, it comes before the noun it describes with the definite article I’ (this).
- then president = then president, then president
- then manager = then manager, then manager
Her name was Yoko Ono, and she was John Lennon’s then girlfriend and later wife.
Her name was Yoko Ono, and she was John Lennon’s then girlfriend and later wife.
‘Allora’ as a conjunction
Finally we look at the usages that are most familiar to learners of Italian. thenWhen used as a conjunction, it can be translated in a variety of ways, including:
- so
- Then
- in this case
- All right)
- so
- for this reason
Here are some common phrases you’ll come across when communicating with Italians:
then See you tomorrow!
See you tomorrow Then!
ExcellentSee you tomorrow!
If you want to come too, then be prepared.
If you want to come too, Then be prepared.
School closed due to snow then I’m staying at home.
School closed due to snow so I am staying at home.
In colloquial Italian, then Often used to start a discussion or speech to grab the audience’s attention, much like its English counterpart then or at that time.
then…I want to start talking about a topic of interest to many readers of this blog.
then…I want to start by addressing a topic of interest to many readers of this blog…
It can also be used to draw conclusions from another person’s statement or story.In this case it is usually preceded by the words electronic (and) or Well (but).
Antonio treats me badly. – soleave him!
Antonio treats me badly. – Then leave him!
Finally, it can be used in a questioning sense to a) start a conversation, b) solicit a decision, or c) express a lack of interest in what the other person has to say.
then? What did he tell you?
so? what did he say?
I brushed my teeth today. – so?
I brushed my teeth today. – so what?
in short, then is one of the most commonly used words in Italian, but it can also be one of the most difficult for learners to master due to its multiple meanings. The best way to master its usage is to memorize some common example sentences, so that you not only understand the word itself, but also the context in which it usually appears.
