Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

This lesson covers Italian conjunctions like e (and), o (or), se (if), ma (but), and però (however), teaching how to connect phrases and express conditions, contrasts, or choices in everyday conversations.
  1. 'E' connects similar elements.
  2. 'O' is used to offer alternatives.
  3. 'Se' introduces a condition.
  4. 'Ma' expresses a contrast.
CongiunzioneEsempio
EMangio la pizza e bevo l'acqua.
OPreferisci il tè o il caffè?
SeSe piove, non andiamo al parco.
MaVoglio uscire, ma è troppo tardi.
PeròMi piace il gelato, però non mangio spesso dolci.

Exceptions!

  1. "E" changes to "ed" before words that begin with e-. Example: "primavera ed estate".
  2. "O" changes to "od" before words that begin with o-. Example: "carne od ortaggi".

Exercise 1: Le congiunzioni

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

ma, e, Se, o

1.
Luca è simpatico, ... un po' timido.
(Luca is nice, but a bit shy.)
2.
Voglio uscire, ... è troppo tardi.
(I want to go out, but it is too late.)
3.
Mangio la pizza ... bevo l'acqua.
(I eat the pizza and drink the water.)
4.
"Studia molto, ... ottiene buoni voti.
(He studies a lot and gets good grades.)
5.
Puoi scegliere tra pasta ... riso.
(You can choose between pasta or rice.)
6.
... piove, non andiamo al parco.
(If it rains, we do not go to the park.)
7.
... hai fame, mangia qualcosa.
(If you are hungry, eat something.)
8.
Preferisci il tè ... il caffè?
(Do you prefer tea or coffee?)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Mangio la pasta ___ bevo l'acqua.

(I eat pasta ___ drink water.)

2. Preferisci il tè ___ il caffè?

(Do you prefer tea ___ coffee?)

3. ___ piove, non andiamo al parco.

(___ it rains, we don't go to the park.)

4. Voglio uscire, ___ è troppo tardi.

(I want to go out, ___ it is too late.)

5. Mangio frutta ___ estate.

(I eat fruit ___ summer.)

6. Preferisco carne ___ ortaggi.

(I prefer meat ___ vegetables.)

Introduction to Italian Conjunctions

This lesson covers the basic Italian conjunctions that connect words, phrases, or clauses within sentences. Understanding these conjunctions will help you form more complex and meaningful sentences in everyday conversations.

Key Italian Conjunctions

  • E – meaning "and," used to link similar elements. Example: Mangio la pizza e bevo l'acqua.
  • O – meaning "or," used to offer alternatives. Example: Preferisci il tè o il caffè?
  • Se – meaning "if," introduces a condition. Example: Se piove, non andiamo al parco.
  • Ma – meaning "but," expresses a contrast. Example: Voglio uscire, ma è troppo tardi.
  • Però – also meaning "but," but often used to add emphasis or a stronger contrast. Example: Mi piace il gelato, però non mangio spesso dolci.

Special Forms: "Ed" and "Od"

In Italian, e changes to ed before words starting with the vowel 'e' to make pronunciation smoother. For example: primavera ed estate.

Similarly, o becomes od before words starting with the vowel 'o': carne od ortaggi.

Important Notes on Usage

These conjunctions are fundamental connectors in Italian and are often used in everyday speech and writing. Recognizing when to use e vs. ed or o vs. od will improve your fluency and comprehension.

Comparing Italian Conjunctions with English

Italian conjunctions mostly correspond directly to English ones (and, or, if, but), but note that Italian has nuances such as the use of però to emphasize contrast stronger than ma. Also, Italian adapts the conjunctions e and o into ed and od respectively to ease pronunciation, a feature not present in English.

Useful phrases include:

  • e – and
  • o – or
  • se – if
  • ma – but
  • però – however/but (stronger emphasis)

Learning these conjunctions will allow you to link ideas clearly and express complex thoughts much like in your own language.

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Friday, 18/07/2025 00:51