This lesson will amaze you! In fact, we will see the 7 different meanings of the word PURE! If you think that it is too easy, you are making a huge mistake!
PURE in Italian: all meanings and uses
Although it might seem absurd, the small word PURE has 7 different meanings in Italian! Let’s see all of them!
1. PURE with the meaning of “also”
First of all, PURE is used with the meaning of “also”, therefore to add something.
For example:
Oggi ho comprato due paia di scarpe e pure un paio di occhiali da sole. (Today I bought two pairs of shoes and also a pair of sunglasses)
or
Dopo quello che hai fatto, non posso sopportare pure questo! (After what you did, I cannot handle this, too!)
Furthermore, with the same meaning, PURE can be used in a negative way to express disagreement, disapproval for something that has not been done but we wish it would.
For example:
Rocco avrebbe pure potuto avvisarmi prima di andarsene! (Rocco could have told me that he was leaving! – In this case, Rocco didn’t tell me anything, but I wish he had!)
or
Maria e Giacomo avrebbero pure potuto dirci che andavano in vacanza da soli… (Maria e Giacomo could have told us they were going on holiday alone… – They didn’t tell us anything, but we wish they had!)
2. PURE useless
PURE can also be used redundantly, in a useless way, when we express a doubt, in order to emphasise our uncertainty.
For example:
Il suo libro è davvero brutto… Bisognerà pure dirglielo prima o poi… (His book is terrible… We should tell him sooner or later… – I don’t know when we will tell him, I’m doubtful)
or
Prova a dire ai tuoi genitori che hai speso tutta la paghetta per comprare i libri: potrebbero pure crederci! (Try to tell your parents you spent all your pocket money to buy the books: they might believe that! – It’s not certain they will believe that, maybe yes… maybe not…)
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3. PURE to express boredom
The word PURE is also used when we do something without enthusiasm, with boredom, just because they forced us to do it. Usually, there is a condition afterwards.
For example:
Ok ok… andiamo pure al ristorante giapponese stasera! Ma se troviamo tutto pieno non lamentatevi! (Ok ok… Let’s go to the Japanese restaurant tonight! But if it’s full, don’t complain! – I wouldn’t like to go there, but at the end I accepted because they insisted…)
or
Luca e Paolo possono pure venire al cinema con noi. Ma se cominciano a urlare, non prendetevela con me! Io non li volevo! (Luca and Paolo can come to the cinema with us. But if they start shouting, don’t blame me! I didn’t want them! – I would have preferred they didn’t come, but at the end I agreed…)
*today’s nugget*
fare/costruire castelli in aria = build castles in the air
For example:
Rocco fa sempre castelli in aria: è convinto che LearnAmo raggiungerà 100 mila iscritti entro la fine dell’anno! (Rocco always builds castles in the air: he thinks LearnAmo will reach 100k subscribers by the end of the year! – Do you think it’s possible? :-D)
4. PURE as encouragement
PURE is also used after a verb in the imperative mood (formal and informa), to emphasise a command, to encourage someone to do or tell something!
For example:
Prego, signora, venga pure! (Please, come in, ma’am!)
or
Dimmi pure! Che succede? (Just tell me! What’s up?)
5. PURE with the meaning of “even”
PURE can also mean “even”.
For example:
Lo ama così tanto che darebbe pure la vita per lui! (She loves him so much she would even die for him!)
6. PURE with the meaning of “even if”, “although”
PURE can also introduce concessive clauses! In fact, if we use it after a subjunctive, it means “anche se” (even if); while, if we use if before a gerund, (PUR), it takes the meaning of “sebbene” or “nonostante” (although).
For example:
Fosse pure il ragazzo più bello del mondo, Paola non lo sposerebbe mai. (Even if he were the most handsome boy in the world, Paola would never marry him)
or
Pur avendo studiato molto, Giuseppe è stato bocciato. (Although he studied a lot, Giuseppe didn’t pass the exam)
ANCHE SE + subjunctive? Why? Find out all the concessive clauses with our lesson!
7. PUR DI with the meaning of “for the sole purpose of”
Last but not least, we have PUR DI. In this case, the meaning is “for the sole purpose of”, “with the sole objective of” and it indicates something we want to do at all costs, even though it requires effort, sacrifice and commitment.
For example:
Quel ragazzo farebbe di tutto pur di diventare un calciatore, persino abbandonare la sua famiglia. (That guy would do anything for the sole purpose of becoming a football-player, even abandoning his family)
or
Ha tradito chiunque pur di vincere le elezioni! (He betrayed anyone with the sole objective of winning the elections!)
Pay attention not to confuse PURE with PURÈ (mashed potatoes)!
What does PIUTTOSTO mean?
Let’s see if you’ve mastered the contents of this class. Have a go at completing the exercises!
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