Daily Italian: Ormai (now/at this time/already/almost)

Some Italian words take time to master because they lack precise or direct equivalents in English. adverb at this point is a good example.

although at this point usually translated as Now, until now, at this point, almost, at last, no longerand alreadyit’s not always clear when each translation is appropriate. Given its different meanings, we thought it might be useful to explore each possible translation individually, with the help of various example sentences. Let’s take a look at them now!

Important: at this point Can also be written and pronounced as until now,This is No (Now) and possible (no way). While usage varies by region, at this point more common in written form, whereas until now More commonly heard in spoken language. (source: Trecani)

Ormai = at this time/now/already

at this point When referring to an action that has been clearly completed, it is usually used to express “this time/that point”. While “at this/that point” may be an appropriate English translation, it is just as common as the expression “(by) now”. Let's look at a few example sentences to better understand how it is used in context.

I have now learned my lesson and will not make the same mistake again. > I have now learned my lesson and will not make the same mistake again.

It's too late to change your mind now. > It's too late to change your mind at this point.

Things have changed now and we can't go back. > Things have changed now and we can't go back.

Mario should be here by now. > Mario should be here by now.

I don't pay attention to it anymore. > At this point, I no longer pay attention to it.

I don't think about it anymore, it was a long time ago. > At this point, I no longer think about it, it was a long time ago.

You should know me by now. = You should know me by now.

Now this is to be expected. > At this point, it is to be expected.

Important: In English, we usually don't feel the need to include adverbs equivalent to at this point. For example, in the phrase At this point, I no longer pay attention to itphrase at this point Almost unnecessary, as is the case with adverbs no longer That's enough. However, in Italian, at this point extra emphasis more Often used to express a final feeling, as in the phrase I don't think about it anymore.

Ormai = almost/almost

sometimes at this point Can be used as an alternative to an adverb allow (almost / almost). It is used to express the urgency of a future event or the certainty that something will happen soon.

at this point Here we are. > We're almost there.

Now the cake is ready, it only takes a few minutes. > The cake is almost done, it still needs a few minutes.

Now they have won the game. > They've almost won the game.

Allmay = Already

This usage at this point It's actually very similar to the first example mentioned, where already This can usually be replaced by Now or At that time.

It's summer now. > It's summer now.

It was already dark when we arrived at this point. > It was already dark when we arrived.

I'm used to it at this point. > I'm used to it.

I haven't seen my cousin in ten years. > It has been ten years since I last saw my cousin.

Allmay = last

The final usage of this is at this point It's not mentioned in any of the English-Italian dictionaries I used for research, but it does appear in the trusty Devoto-Oli.

We've done it now! > We finally did it!

We are in Italy now. Let's go eat some delicious pizza! > We finally arrived in Italy. Let's go eat delicious pizza!

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.