Today we’re going to look at one of the most quintessential Italian words: adverbs and conjunctions pure. Like many words in this grammar category, it has multiple English translations, making it difficult to master in the early stages of learning a language. Let’s see if we can break it down and simplify it!
pure
and/but/even/continue
Important: the word pure Nothing to do with English adjectives purealthough both terms ultimately derive from Latin puremeaning purely or only.
adverb “pure”
1. also, also, also
In an affirmative sentence, pure Can be used as an adverb meaning also, besidesor also. a common synonym pure yes return.
- Alessio can come too. = Alessio can come too.
- We had pizza and even ice cream. = We also had pizza and ice cream.
- Wait a minute, I'll come too. = Wait a minute, I'm coming too.
- I love that movie. – Me too. = I love that movie. –Me too.
However, with the more neutral return, pure With a little emotional nuance. In fact, it is often used when things contradict your expectations. use pure can help express your surprise, as in the following sentences:
Elia knows English, French, Italian and even Welsh!
Elia also knows English, French, Italian and Welsh!
(But if we want to express surprise pure When communicating, a better translation might be “Not only does Elia know English, French and Italian, but he also knows Welsh!”)
In a negative clause, the best translation is any one.
- Even Alessio couldn't come. = Alessio can't come either.
- I don't know anything about it either. = I don't understand either.
2. By all means, feel free to be my guest
In English we use things like go ahead, random, anyway, please and be my guest To express that someone is welcome to do something or take something. In Italian, these can all be replaced by pure.
- Come on, come in! = Please come in!
- Please feel free to email me when you have time. = Please feel free to email me when you have time.
- Have some too. = Come on, get one.
- If you want to ruin your life, go ahead. = If you want to ruin your life, come be my guest.
3. emphasize
pure Often used to emphasize a phrase, usually in an advisory tone. While it doesn't translate directly, the subtext it conveys is a silent “Come on!” or “That's so obvious!” In this case, you'll often see it shortened without the “e” at the end.
- I told you! = I told you!
- We must live! = You must live!
We need to tell him.
But we still have to tell him.
“pure” conjunction
1. But, but, but
This usage pure Less common in speech than other connectives. In fact, it has been largely replaced by despite this,This is e (and) and pure.
- He didn't have much money, but he never complained. = He didn't have much money, but he never complained.
Mario is young and he has become a doctor.
Mario is still young, but he is already a doctor.
2. Even if, even if
by shortening pure arrive Poole Followed by a gerund verb, the meaning becomes Although or even though. This usage is more literary than colloquial.
- Even though I didn't want to, I had to stop. = Even though I didn't want to, I had to stop.
- I couldn't help him even if I wanted to. = Even if I wanted to help him, I couldn't.
- Although he was a great singer, he was not successful. = Although he was an excellent singer, he never achieved success.
Despite not speaking Italian, he has been working in Turin for six years.
Although he does not understand Italian, he has been working in Turin for six years.
3. For, for, just for
pure can also mean for, so that or just to when truncated and paired with a preposition of.
- Anna would do anything to make him happy. = Anna is willing to do anything just to make him happy.
I would give anything to see her again.
I would give anything just to see her again.
Heather Broster is a graduate with honors in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, fluent in English and Italian, as well as varying degrees of fluency in Japanese, Welsh and French. Originally from Toronto, Heather has lived in several countries, notably Italy for six years. Her main research areas are language acquisition, education and bilingual teaching.
