Anzi, appunto, comunque, incredibly common Italian words

When you want to master a language, it’s important that you start using words Italians use daily.

So, I thought it was a good idea to list all the meanings of three incredibly common Italian words: anzi, appunto, comunque.

1. Anzi

The incredibly common Italian word anzi has two main meanings as a conjunction.

a. Anzi can be used to say that something is the opposite of what has just been stated, or that you feel or think the opposite of what has just been stated.

Ex: No, non ho freddo, anzi, stranamente oggi sto morendo di caldo
No, I’m not cold, quite the opposite, actually, oddly the heat is killing me today

b. Anzi can also be used to say that something is better/stronger than what you said before

Ex: Sto bene, anzi, non mi sono mai sentita meglio in vita mia
I’m good, or rather, I’ve never felt better in my entire life

2. Appunto

Appunto is another incredibly common Italian word. As an adverb it has one major meaning.

It is used as an exclamation to say that you think that what someone said is correct. When it’s used in this way, appunto has the same meaning of the Italian word infatti.

Ex: + Francesco vuole andare al supermercato per comprare le decorazioni per la festa
– Ma è troppo tardi, ormai sarà chiuso!
+ Appunto, faglielo capire!
+ Francesco wants to go to the supermarket to buy the decorations for the party
– But it’s too late, it’ll be closed now!
+ Exactly, you tell him!

3. Comunque

Comunque is the last of the incredibly common Italian words in today’s list. Comunque can have many meanings in Italian. Let’s see the main ones.

a. Comunque can be used to say anyway

Ex: Probabilmente quella gonna era troppo piccola per lei ma decise di provarla comunque
That skirt was probably too small for her, but she decided to try it anyway

b. In conversations comunque is used to change the subject, return to something you were saying before, or get to the most interesting point of a conversation.

Ex: Comunque, alla fine non si è presentato all’appuntamento
Anyway, he didn’t come to our date in the end

c. Comunque is also used to add an additional observation to what you were saying

Ex: Non posso venire, quel giorno ho una riunione di lavoro e comunque le terme che hai scelto sono troppo care per me
I can’t come, I’ve a meeting that day, and anyway, the hot springs you chose are too expensive for me

d. Comunque is also used to say “no matter how”

Ex: Comunque vada, io ci sarò sempre per te
No matter how it goes, I’ll always be here for you

What are some of the incredibly common Italian words people should learn to use in your opinion?

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Credits

Original image by JerzyGorecki