Linking sentences logically
With e, ma and perché you string sentences together. The connectors in this lesson also say how two sentences relate: as a consequence, a confirmation, a qualification or a correction.
Consequence — quindi and perciò
quindi and perciò state what follows from what came before: so, therefore, that is why. The reason comes first, the consequence after. The two are almost interchangeable; quindi is more frequent in conversation and can also open a question, much like English so at the start of a turn.
Domani lavoro presto, quindi stasera vado a letto.
I'm working early tomorrow, so I'm going to bed tonight.
Non ho la macchina, quindi prendo il treno.
I don't have a car, so I'm taking the train.
Il negozio era chiuso, perciò sono tornato a casa.
The shop was closed, so I went back home.
Quindi, che facciamo?
So what do we do?
Confirmation — infatti
infatti confirms what you have just said and supplies the evidence: indeed, sure enough, after all. It never contradicts. Do not confuse it with English in fact, which often corrects the previous sentence.
Sembrava stanco. Infatti si è addormentato sul divano.
He looked tired. Sure enough, he fell asleep on the sofa.
Le previsioni davano pioggia e infatti sta piovendo.
The forecast said rain, and indeed it's raining.
Questo ristorante è ottimo. Infatti è sempre pieno.
This restaurant is excellent. It's always full, after all.
Qualification — comunque and tuttavia
Both say: what came before is true, and it changes nothing. They differ in register.
comunque — spoken
An everyday word, a close match for English anyway: still, in any case, anyway, moving on. Like anyway, it can open the sentence, sit in the middle or come at the very end.
Non mi va, ma comunque ci vado.
I don't feel like it, but I'm going anyway.
Grazie comunque.
Thanks anyway.
Non so se viene, comunque io ci sarò.
I don't know if he's coming, but I'll be there in any case.
Comunque, parliamo d'altro.
Anyway, let's talk about something else.
tuttavia — written
Written Italian for however, nevertheless. It mostly opens the sentence it qualifies. In conversation it sounds stiff.
Il treno è lento. Tuttavia, costa meno.
The train is slow. However, it costs less.
Il progetto è costoso. Tuttavia, vale la pena.
The project is expensive. Nevertheless, it is worth it.
Correction — anzi
anzi takes back what you have just said and replaces it with something stronger or opposite: on the contrary, or rather, no, wait. It often follows a negation: non …, anzi …. On its own, Anzi! answers a remark with “quite the contrary!”.
Non mi disturbi, anzi, mi fa piacere.
You're not bothering me — on the contrary, I'm glad.
Il film non era brutto, anzi era bellissimo.
The film wasn't bad — on the contrary, it was wonderful.
Vengo alle otto, anzi alle sette e mezza.
I'll come at eight — no, half past seven.
