What does allora mean in Italian?

Allora is a very useful word in Italian. It can have several meanings and it can be used in different contexts. So, today you’re going to learn all the meanings of the Italian word allora and how to use it.

Allora

The first meaning of the Italian word allora is back then. As Italian synonyms it has in quel tempo, in quel momento.

Examples:

Allora i treni non esistevano

Back then, trains didn’t exist

Allora non mi piaceva il basket

Back then, I didn’t like basketball

The second meaning of allora is in that moment. You can replace allora with in quel tempo, and in quel momento.

Example:

Devi provare, solo allora ti renderai conto che avevo ragione

You’ve to try, only in that moment you’ll realize that I was right

Allora can be used as a conjunction to introduce a conclusion or a logical result. Other synonyms of allora are così, and perciò.

Examples

La partita era noiosa, allora sono andato a bere una birra

The match was boring, so I went to grab a beer

Aveva freddo, allora le ho prestato la mia giacca

She was cold, so I lent her my jacket

Se le cose stanno così, allora dobbiamo lasciare il paese

As things stand, we have to leave the country

The Italian word allora is used in imperative, interrogative and exhortative sentences to refer to something that has already been said at some time in the past or to a topic that you’ve already covered in the past. You can express curiosity, impatience, or even irritation.

Examples:

Allora? Hai passato l’esame?

Well, did you pass the exam?

Allora? Sei pronto?

Well, are you ready?

Finally, allora can also be used just to start a speech, without any meaning, to change topic, and also to give yourself some time to think before starting to say something.

Examples:

Allora, apriamo il libro a pagina 36

So, let’s open the book at page 36

Allora, passiamo adesso a un altro argomento: i verbi pronominali

So, let’s now move to another topic: pronominal verbs

Allora, il 40 percento di 365 è…219

Well, 40% of 365 is…219

As you can see the Italian word allora can have several meanings and uses. If this article helped you learn some of them, don’t forget to share it!

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Credits

Original image by saniusman89