magari

Italian

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /maˈɡa.ri/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ari
• Hyphenation: ma‧gà‧ri

Adverb

magari

1. even

   Synonyms: perfino, persino

2. maybe, perhaps

   Synonyms: forse, chissà

   magari un'altra volta ― perhaps another time

Usage notes

• In some cases forse cannot be used as a synonym:

  to make a suggestion or give advice:

  Magari ci vediamo per le 9 ― Shall 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

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

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

• The intonation is key to distinguish between the senses.

Maore Comorian

Noun

magari

1. plural of gari

Swahili

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Noun

magari

1. plural of gari