che
that · who · what
È una parola usata per collegare frasi o per introdurre una spiegazione, una condizione o una descrizione.
The Italian word "che" is a very common and versatile word with several meanings and uses depending on the context. Here's an explanation:
Meaning and Uses:
-
Relative pronoun / conjunction
- Meaning: "that," "which," "who," or "whom."
- Used to introduce relative clauses.
- Example: La casa che ho comprato − "The house that I bought."
-
Interrogative pronoun
- Meaning: "what."
- Used to ask questions.
- Example: Che vuoi? − "What do you want?"
-
Exclamatory particle
- Expresses surprise or emphasis.
- Example: Che bello! − "How beautiful!"
-
Comparative conjunction
- Translates to "than" in comparisons.
- Example: Più alto che forte (less common but can be used poetically) − "Taller than strong."
Etymology and Parts:
- "Che" is a simple, invariable word in Italian used for various grammatical functions but does not change form.
- It stems from the Latin pronoun qui, quae, quod meaning "who" or "which."
Synonyms:
- When used as "which/that," synonyms could be different relative pronouns, but "che" is the most common in Italian.
- For "what," an alternate form is "cosa" (also meaning "thing" or "what").
Antonyms:
- No direct antonym because it serves as a pronoun/conjunction or question word, not an adjective or noun.
Summary:
"Che" is a multifunctional Italian word that can mean "that," "which," "who," "what," or serve as a conjunction or exclamation. It is key for connecting ideas, asking questions, and expressing emotions in Italian.
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Examples
Questo è il libro che leggo ogni sera.pronoun
This is the book that I read every evening.
Mi piace la torta che hai fatto ieri.pronoun
I like the cake that you made yesterday.
Quella è la bambina che canta sempre a scuola.pronoun
That is the girl who always sings at school.
Puoi mostrarmi le foto che hai scattato durante il viaggio?pronoun
Can you show me the photos that you took during the trip?
Che caldo oggi!adverb
What a hot day today!
Non so che cosa dire adesso.determiner
I don't know what to say now.
Che giornata lunga oggi!determiner
What a long day today!
Che film guardiamo stasera?determiner
What movie are we watching tonight?
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