Italian is full of tricky little words that can be a bit confusing.
As I said in a previous post about mica, using certain words can be more difficult than mastering bigger grammar topics. This is why I’ve written a post summarizing how to use pure in Italian, hoping to help students learn more about this sneaky word.
The use of mica and pure has been addressed in some of my ask-me-anything monthly YouTube livestreams and these posts want to be a way to save that information and keep it for the future. I hope this helps!
This is also why, as I always do with this type of post, I have created a downloadable PDF file for you to keep for future reference. You can find the file in Your Italian Toolbox, where I upload all language-learning materials (you can access the page by subscribing to my newsletter).
So let’s focus on how to use pure in Italian!
1. Pure can be used as a synonym of anche.
For example:
Ho comprato il latte, il pane e pure un po’ di formaggio (I bought milk, bread, and some cheese too)
Anche se non avevo molta fame, il cibo era così buono che ho mangiato il primo e pure il secondo. (Even though I wasn’t very hungry, I had the first course and the second one too)
Alla festa c’era pure Anna. Non pensavo che sarebbe venuta! (There was also Anna at the party. I didn’t think she would come!)
2. Pure can be a synonym of perfino and addirittura.
For example:
Francesca è così ricca che ha pure l’autista (Francesca is so rich that she even has a driver)
Stavo così male che ho pure smesso di mangiare (I was so sick I even stopped eating)
Amo così tanto il mio cane che lo porto pure in ufficio con me (I love my dog so much that I even bring him to the office with me)
3. Pure can be used with an imperative to reinforce it, to encourage someone to do or say something.
For example:
“Posso entrare?” “Certo, entri pure!” (Can I come in? Sure, please come in)
Se ha bisogno di qualche informazione, mi chieda pure (If you need some information, please ask)
Prego, passi pure. Non ho fretta (Please, go ahead. I am not in a hurry)
4. We use the expression pur di + infinitive when you refer to something one absolutely wants to do, that is hugely important for them.
For example:
Pur di passare l’esame, ho studiato tutta la notte -> Passing the exam was so important for me that I studied all night
Mio fratello è molto competitivo. Farebbe qualsiasi cosa pur di vincere -> Winning is so important for my brother that he would do anything to win
Pur di avere i soldi per andare in vacanza, sono disposto a non uscire più il sabato sera -> Going on holiday is so important for me that I will stay home on Saturday to save money
Please note that there are other ways in which pure is used in Italian but I’ve decided to focus on the most common ones not to make this post too overwhelming!
Don’t forget that I have also created a downloadable PDF file for you to keep for future reference. You can find the file in Your Italian Toolbox, where I upload all language-learning materials (you can access the page by subscribing to my newsletter).
Leave a Reply