Episode 5 · Words That Actually Come Up
Magari - why it doesn't always mean maybe in Italian
Magari! on its own means I wish! or I'd love to! - not maybe. That's how Emma accidentally agreed to a day at the beach.
Laura invites Emma to the beach. Emma answers with the wrong word.
Laura ·
In this lesson
| Italian | Word for word | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Magari! | I wish! / if only! | on its own, as an answer |
| Magari domani | maybe tomorrow | inside a sentence it can mean maybe |
| Forse | maybe / perhaps | the safe way to say maybe |
| Mi piacerebbe tanto | I'd really like that | |
| Evviva! | hooray! |
If you're not sure, answer forse. If you'd love to go, answer magari!
The dialogue
Every line from the video, with the English meaning under the Italian.
Laura
Emma, vieni al mare domenica?
Emma, are you coming to the beach on Sunday?
Emma
Magari!
(she means: maybe)
Laura
Evviva! Allora prendo due ombrelloni!
Hooray! Then I'll get two beach umbrellas!
Emma
Wait, no! I meant maybe!
Laura
Ah! Magari, da solo, vuol dire: mi piacerebbe tanto!
Ah! Magari on its own means: I'd really love to!
Laura
Se non sei sicura: forse.
If you're not sure: forse (maybe).
Emma✓ Correct
Allora... forse vengo!
So... maybe I'm coming!
Laura
Magari!
I hope so!
Laura
Seguimi, per la prossima parola!
Follow me, for the next word!
The voices in this video are synthetic and the on-screen host is generated. The Italian itself is written and checked by a native speaker.
Ready to speak, not just watch?
Practise these phrases out loud with Laura in a small group or a private lesson.
Find your Italian class