magari

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Italian

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Etymology

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From Greek μακάρι (makári, I wish), which is derived from Ancient Greek μακάριος (makários, blessed, happy).[1] Compare Portuguese macar (although, conjunction), Spanish maguer (although, conjunction) and Romanian măcar (even, adverb).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /maˈɡa.ri/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Rhymes: -ari
  • Hyphenation: ma‧gà‧ri

Adverb

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magari

  1. even
    Synonyms: perfino, persino
  2. maybe, perhaps
    Synonyms: forse, chissà
    magari un'altra voltaperhaps another time

Usage notes

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  • In some cases forse cannot be used as a synonym:[2]
    to make a suggestion or give advice:
    Magari ci vediamo per le 9Shall we meet around 9?
    Magari va' all'arco di trionfo, c'è un bel panorama lì.You should go to the Arc de Triomphe, there's a beautiful panaroma.
    to speculate about a slight possibility, in the meaning “you never know”:
    Prendi una giacca che magari lì all'aperto fa freddo.Take a jacket, it might be cold outside.
    to make an additional wish or request, in the sense of “possibly”, “ideally” or “it would be nice”:
    Vorrei tanto una villa, magari con piscina.I'd really like to own a villa, ideally one with a pool.
  • In some cases forse can be used but changes the meaning:
    Magari vado al cinema domani.I might go the cinema tomorrow.
    Forse vado al cinema domani.Perhaps I [can] go the cinema tomorrow.
In the first example magari expresses a personal intention or desire, whereas forse indicates that the speaker has less control over the eventual outcome of the event.
  • Magari can also express an optimistic hope:
    Magari c'è posto.I hope there is room.
    Forse c'è posto.Maybe there is room.

Conjunction

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magari

  1. even if
    Synonyms: anche se, se solo
  2. if only
    Magari fossi ricco!If only I were rich!
    Magari fosse vero!If only that were true!

Interjection

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magari

  1. (colloquial) of course!; you bet!
  2. (colloquial) used to express the speaker's wish that the preceding statement were true; I wish!; if only!; yeah right!

Usage notes

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  • The intonation is key to distinguish between the senses.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Angelo Prati, "Vocabolario Etimologico Italiano", Torino, 1951
  2. ^ Davide Gemello (2018 July 16) “Ma come si usa “magari”?! – Usi colloquiali #14”, in Podcast Italiano
  3. ^ Davide Gemello (2018 February 10) “Mi sa che, magari!, ci sta – Usi colloquiali #8”, in Podcast Italiano

Maore Comorian

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Noun

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magari

  1. plural of gari

Swahili

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Pronunciation

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Noun

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magari

  1. plural of gari