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When I think of the word “anzi,” I think of my caro amico Carmine, who would always say it in the midst of rants about relationship or life in general.

Just typing the word makes me smile.

And because smiling is fun + anzi is a great word to know, we’re doing three speed dates with the words “anzi”, “dunque” e “piuttosto”.

Round #1: Anzi

“Anzi” is defined as

— In fact

— Actually

— On the contrary

— Rather

It’s used to express an objection or a confirmation to something that has already been said or a question that has been asked of you.

In general it refers to the fact that there is more to say about a topic that confirms, underlines or refutes the main point.

Esempi

— Lovely person 1: Disturbo?

— Lovely person 2: Ma no, anzi…sono molto contenta di vederti. – Am I disturbing you? No, rather…I am really happy to see you.

— Ti voglio sempre anzi di piu. – I want you always, in fact, more than ever.  [source]

—  “Coriandoli vietati a carnevale. Anzi, no!”  – Confetti not allowed at Carnevale. On the contrary, it’s not true. [source]

— Lovely person 1: È occupato qui? – Is this (seat) taken?

— Lovely person 2: No, anzi! – No, go right ahead.

Common expressions

— poc’anzi – just a moment ago

— anzitutto/innanzitutto – first of all

— Innanzi/Dinanzi – afore/in front*

*Note that the above words aren’t common language. You’ll hear them in more formal situations and are archaic.

Round #2: Dunque

“Dunque” is defined as

— Therefore

— So

— Well

— Point {this one seems random, right? But it’s meant as “This is the point” or “This is the matter” – Questo è il dunque }

Similar words could be “allora” or “quindi”.

Want to learn how to use “quindi” and “allora”? Read these articles.

Learn how to use quindi.

Learn how to use allora. 

I have read that you use “dunque” when you want to put more emphasis on a sentence. It’s also used as a way to begin a sentence and implies that your point is going to be lengthy.

Esempi

— Dunque, per tornare al nostro discorso…  – So getting back to our discussion… [source]

— “”Scrivo dunque sono”: la parola ai tempi di twitter.” – I write, therefore I am: the word at the time of Twitter.  [source]

CPF: This is a play on “Penso dunque sono”/ “penso quindi esisto” – “I think, therefore I am.”

— Siamo arrivati al dunque. – We have now arrived at the matter (the issue at hand).

Common expressions

— Venire al dunque – Get to the point

— A prestissimo dunque! – So see you very soon! {Written in a letter} [source]

Round #3: Piuttosto

“Piuttosto” is defined as meaning

— Rather – in the sense of how we express “pretty nice, pretty strange, or pretty cheap or enough”

— Rather – in the sense of choosing one option instead of the other

Esempi

— Lui è un tipo piuttosto strano. – He’s a rather strange man. [source]

— Oggi vado in auto piuttosto che in treno. – I’ll go by car instead of taking the train today.

— È piuttosto economico. – It’s pretty cheap.

Common expressions:

— Piuttosto bene – rather good

— Piuttosto che – rather than

Mini-challenge: Try creating one sentence using each of the words above. Write them down on paper or type them to me in the comments.

Other Italian Word Speed Dates

— Italian Word Speed Dates: Appena, Addirittura, Comunque and Quindi

— Italian Word Speed Dates: Tale, Eccome, e Semmai

Questions/comments? Drop ‘em below! :]

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