In these examples, magari is used as an exclamation, by itself, without a verb.
Italian Articles
What does ‘magari’ mean and how to use it in Italian?
By: Silvia Giorgini Althoen Fri Aug 30 2024
Magari is one of the most commonly used expressions in everyday Italian! It is a very versatile word that can mean everything from “maybe” to “gladly.” It is most often used as an interjectionNo definition set for interjectionLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. or an adverbNo definition set for adverbLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum., but it can express enthusiastic participation, regret, or desire depending on the intonation you give it.
Make way for magari, a “do it all” expression that Italians use profusely, as in:
Vuoi andare in Italia? Magari!
Do you want to go to Italy? I wish!
Magari potessi andare in Italia!
How I wish I could go to Italy!
Magari ci sentiamo dopo!
Eventually we will talk later!
So if you have wondered what it means, well, magari adesso lo scopriamo insieme(maybe we can now discover it together).
Table of Contents
How to use ‘magari’ in Italian?
Magari can be used on its own, as an interjectionNo definition set for interjectionLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum., before the subjunctive to mean “if only,” or as an adverbNo definition set for adverbLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.. First, we’ll go over how to use it by itself, then, we’ll see how to use it in a sentence as an adverb or together with the subjunctive. Are you ready?
How to use the interjection ‘magari’?
Magari is often used as an interjection to answer questions, expressing an emotional reaction. Let’s look at the following examples that you can answer by just saying "Magari!" and where your intonation can convey different nuances of meaning to your answer:
Be enthusiastic while answering magari to convey that you gladly accept an invite.
Magari = Volentieri!(Gladly!)
For example:
Mamma vuoi venire con me in Italia?
Mom, do you want to go to Italy with me?
Magari!
Gladly! / I wish (if only I could)
If your tone is doubtful or sad as you say magari, then you are conveying that you wished you did something differently.
Magari = sarebbe stato bello (se)…(it would have been nice (if)...)
For example:
Mara, hai superato l’esame di chimica?
Mara, have you passed the chemistry exam?
Magari!
I wish (I had!)
If your tone is hopeful, wishful, and grateful as you say magari, then you are conveying that you would like the help offered, or you wish something would happen.
Magari = sarebbe bello (se)…(I wish; It would be nice (if)...)
For example:
Prenotiamo anche per voi?
Shall we also make a reservation for you?
(Ohhh!) Magari!
Ohhh, thanks! That would be great!
Important
How to use ‘magari’ to express a wish with the subjunctive?
A very common use of magari is with the subjunctiveNo definition set for subjunctiveLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. (imperfect or past perfect) to express a wish which, in English, means “if only…” Here are the two patterns you can follow:
To state a wish or desire about the present:
magari
if only
imperfect subjunctive
Magari piovesse!
If only it would rain!
Magari Alfredo arrivasse presto!
If only Alfredo would arrive soon.
To state a wish or desire about the past:
magari
if only
past perfect subjunctive
Magari avesse piovuto!
If only it would have rained!
Magari foste arrivati prima!
If only you had arrived sooner!
Tip
Remember that the imperfect subjunctive conveys a sense of uncertainty, but the past perfect subjunctive implies that a wish did not come true.
Have a look at our article on the imperfect or past perfect subjunctive in Italian to learn more about these two verb forms.
What are the other meanings of ‘magari’?
The final use of magari in Italian:
Magari = possibility
As an equivalent of forse(maybe, possibly) or eventualmente((maybe) eventually)
Chiamo i miei genitori, magari li trovo in casa.
I am calling my parents, maybe I will find them at home.
Magari mi chiami appena arrivi in ufficio.
Eventually, you could call me as you arrive in the office.
Important
In these cases, magari is 'linked" to another sentence that gives the context.
To sum up
Magari is an extremely versatile and useful word for everyday conversation. A magic word that can be used on its own (as an interjection) or in a sentence with many English meanings: “maybe,” “yeah, right!,” “I wish,” “if only,” “gladly,” “I’d rather.”
Let’s go and practice the uses of magari now!
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