Question for the italian speakers

[MadRocketSci]

How many different meanings and uses are there for the word "allora?" Can we get some examples?

Grazie

[RedRider]

It's a toss away word that actually has no meaning on its own. Used in a sentence it's like "so" or "and then".

[alessandro]

Context is everything.

Its common use means therefore, so, or in that case.
It could also have to do with points in time: at the time, in that moment, back then. This is derived from from all'ora = at the hour, which comes from the Latin, ad illam horem = at that hour.

I like the WordReference site quite a bit:

http://www.wordreference.com/iten/allora

Especially these examples:

Hai voluto la bicicletta? E allora pedala.

English version: You made your bed, now lie in it.
Literal: You wanted a bicycle? Now pedal it

Avanti,
alessandro

[Mr. Pink]

If you're planning a trip to Tuscany, you should read Heat http://www.amazon.com/Heat-Adventure...eywords=batali

Just finished it in the car on CD. You can skip the New York stuff, unless you're into the madness of a high end NYC kitchen, and go straight to the trip to Tuscany and the internship the author did with a butcher, who is sort of a crazy nobleman to the people there. Good stuff.

[enr1co]

Originally Posted by alessandro

Context is everything.

Its common use means therefore, so, or in that case.
It could also have to do with points in time: at the time, in that moment, back then. This is derived from from all'ora = at the hour, which comes from the Latin, ad illam horem = at that hour.

I like the WordReference site quite a bit:

http://www.wordreference.com/iten/allora

Especially these examples:

Hai voluto la bicicletta? E allora pedala.

English version: You made your bed, now lie in it.
Literal: You wanted a bicycle? Now pedal it

Avanti,
alessandro

Good splainin'

Similar use in French: "alor"

[MadRocketSci]

Grazie mille...it seemed like 50% of sentences in Tuscany were begun with that word. I was starting to think it just meant "um."

Allora, I think for fun I'm gonna starting all my sentences with it when I'm out there for work and see how that goes

[d_douglas]

Yes, similar to 'alors' in French.

People might say. "Alors, qu'es-tu faire maintenant?", as a next step or a transition?

Approximate translation, "OK (then), what are you going to do now?"


I assume that Italian would have many similarities? I have travelled to Italy many times and yes, it is a very common word in daily language.

[d_douglas]

Originally Posted by MadRocketSci

Grazie mille...it seemed like 50% of sentences in Tuscany were begun with that word. I was starting to think it just meant "um."

Allora, I think for fun I'm gonna starting all my sentences with it when I'm out there for work and see how that goes

Also great to answer your cellphone in an unusually calm voice and say, 'Pronto....'

Instant street cred in an italian coffee shop (until they find out you can't speak a word of Italian !!

[MadRocketSci]

I get a "bravo" for just asking "Le come sta?"

And then there was the time I was at the train station asking for "Uno biglietto a Rick-ee-own-ay per favore" (attempt to ask for "one ticket to Riccione please")

I was corrected when they finally figured out where i was going.

cc = "ch" sound
cch = "k" sound

[Gsinill]

Besides it's initial meaning, it's used a lot as filler, similar to "well".

[alessandro]

Originally Posted by MadRocketSci

I get a "bravo" for just asking "Le come sta?"

And then there was the time I was at the train station asking for "Uno biglietto a Rick-ee-own-ay per favore" (attempt to ask for "one ticket to Riccione please")

I was corrected when they finally figured out where i was going.

cc = "ch" sound
cch = "k" sound

Remember this rule: c followed by i or e = ch sound, as in ciao.
two c's not followed by an i = k sound
ch = k sound.

Example 1: Chianti. Hard k sound, no mystery there.

Example 2: Riccardo Ricco: Hard K sounds in both names (never mind the accent on the o in the last name... that's for another discussion).

Example 3: Cucina (=kitchen). Ku-chee-na. Just say it faster.

Example 3: Cappuccino. You already know how to pronounce that. Now, on to Claudio Chiappucci (why are my examples dopers?): Hard K sound for the "Chia," and "chee" for the last part. Key-ah-poo-chee.

Molto facile, no?

[MadRocketSci]

Crikey! Va bene, grazie....

[Climb01742]

Originally Posted by alessandro

Literal: You wanted a bicycle? Now pedal it

that's awesome. gotta remember that and use it.

[jh_on_the_cape]

I live in Italy a few months a year with my non-English speaking in-laws.

Allora, here's what it means.

Italians translate it into English as 'OK'.

So they often say, "OK, here's what it means."

The best way to learn Italian is to marry an Italian woman. I also learned to cook, and more importantly, how to eat and drink.

I throw up in my mouth a little when I see an Olive Garden restaurant.

[alessandro]

Originally Posted by jh_on_the_cape

I live in Italy a few months a year with my non-English speaking in-laws.

Dove?

Originally Posted by jh_on_the_cape

I throw up in my mouth a little when I see an Olive Garden restaurant.

Allora che altro c'è di nuovo?