When we interact with a friend, a relative or a person we are familiar with, we tend to be as brief as possible. In fact, we wold never use complex constructs to ask a parent to pass us some water, but simple and short sentences. By the way, most of times Italians use so short that may sound like noises, but actually they have a lot meanings.
📝 Written Explanation: learnamo.com/en/shortest-ital...
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The shortest and most used words in Italian
1) Ops…
It's a common exclamation that is used when we notice that something is not right, usually a distraction, a mistake or in any case, something unimportant:
- it's used on its own if the audience can understand what's going on
Example: "Ops..." (after pouring some wine on the table)
- it's followed by a short explanation if the audience can understand the situation
Example: "Ops... ho dimenticato le chiavi" (Ops... I forgot my keys)
2) Uffa!
This interjection is used a lot by Italian people, even on its own, expressing boredom, annoyance, impatience and any other negative emotion.
Examples: “Uffa, che caldo!” (Ugh, it's so hot), “Uffa, il frigo è vuoto, mi tocca andare a fare la spesa!” (Ugh, the fridge is empty, I got to go to the grocery store!)
3) Pss
This is a hiss with the value of interjection and it's used to draw other people's attention, without making too much noise or trying to not be seen by other people or before a warning.
Example: "Pss, mi passeresti la penna?" (Pss, would you pass me the pen?)
4) Shh
This little word is used when we want someone to be quiet, to speak no more or make no more noise.
Example: "Shh, abbassa la voce..." (Shh, lower your voice...)
5) Già
This little word is used a lot by Italian people and it has several meanings:
- The first one has a time value that's always mistaken with the other quite common time adverb "ancora" by foreign people.
- The second expresses assent, confirms something, it's the same as saying “è vero” (it's true), “sì” (yeah), “è così” (that's it).
6) Uhm…
This interjection is usually used to express uncertainty, unbelief or indifference
Example: "Uhm… Non so se mangiare una mela oppure della cioccolata…" (Uhm... I don't know if I should eat an apple or a piece of chocolate...)
7) Eh
This little word can express:
- reproach and disapproval
Example: "Eh! Non si fanno queste cose!" (Eh! You shouldn't do this kind of things!)
- wonder or astonishment
Example: "Eh?! Ti stai trasferendo in Giappone?! E quando pensavi di dirmelo??" (Eh?! Are you moving to Japan? when were you planning on telling me?)
- resignation
Example: "Eh… Non sempre nella vita può andare tutto bene…" (Life doesn't always go smoothly)
- drawing someone's else attention
Example: "Belle, eh, le nuove scarpe che ho comprato?" (These new shoes I bought are nice, EH, aren't they?)
- answering to someone's call
Example: "Graziana! - Eh! - Vieni un attimo qui!" (Graziana! - Eh! - Come here a second!)
- request of repeating what we are told when we don't understand
Example: "(something incomprehensible) - Eh???"
8) Ah
This interjection can indicate, depending on the intonation:
- the beginning of a speech or a turn of a conversation with the change of subject
Example: "Ah, senti ma per quanto riguarda stasera: che si fa?" (Ah, what are we doing tonight?)
- pain
Example: "Ah, mi ha punto un’ape! Che dolore!" (Ah, a bee stung me! It hurts!)
- relief
Example: "Ah! Finalmente ho finito tutto quello che dovevo fare oggi… Ora posso finalmente rilassarmi!" (Ah! I finally finished what I had to do today... I can relax now!)
- pleasure
Example: "Ah… Mica male questa torta che hai preparato!" (Ah... this cake you made is not bad at all!)
- disappointment
Example: "Ah… Cioè tu ora mi dici che non puoi venire con me al cinema, dopo che ho comprato i biglietti?!" (Ah... you're telling me you can't come to the cinema with me, after I bought the tickets?!)
- when we get something that we didn't get before
Example: "Ah, ora sì che è tutto chiaro!" (Ah, now it's all clear!)
- if it is repeated two or more times, takes the value of a satisfied and sarcastic laughter
Example: "Ah ah! Ci sei cascato!" (Ah ah! You fell for that!)
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