Italian connectors allow you to link ideas, organise a text and express yourself more clearly and naturally. Words such as quindi, però, inoltre and infatti occur constantly in conversations, messages, articles and written exams.
However, learning their translations is not enough. Some connectors that appear similar are used differently depending on their position, register or the relationship between the two ideas.
In this guide, you will find over 40 Italian connectors grouped by function, with their meanings and examples to help you use them correctly.
What are connectors in Italian?
Connectors, known in Italian as connettivi or connettivi testuali, are words and expressions that establish a logical relationship between two parts of a sentence or text.
They can be used, for example, to:
- add information;
- contrast two ideas;
- express a cause or consequence;
- organise a discussion;
- introduce an example;
- express a condition;
- rephrase an explanation;
- summarise or conclude.
Look at this example:
Non sono uscito perché pioveva. – I did not go out because it was raining.
The connector perché introduces the reason why I did not go out.
Pioveva, quindi non sono uscito. – It was raining, so I did not go out.
In the second sentence, quindi introduces the consequence. The situation is the same, but the relationship between the two ideas changes.
Italian connectors for adding information
These connectors allow you to add one idea to another.
E
It means and. It is the most basic additive connector.
Studio italiano e ascolto molti podcast. – I study Italian and listen to a lot of podcasts.
Anche
It means also or too. It is normally placed before the element it refers to.
Studio italiano e imparo anche il francese. – I study Italian and I am also learning French.
Inoltre
It means furthermore or in addition. It is common in writing and in a relatively formal register.
Il corso è interessante. Inoltre, gli orari sono molto comodi. – The course is interesting. Furthermore, the timetable is very convenient.
In più
It also means in addition, but is more common in conversation.
La casa è luminosa e, in più, si trova vicino al centro. – The house is bright and, in addition, it is close to the city centre.
Per di più and oltretutto
They add a further argument, often to reinforce an assessment.
Il ristorante era caro e, per di più, abbiamo aspettato un’ora. – The restaurant was expensive and, what is more, we waited for an hour.
Non mi ha avvisato e oltretutto è arrivato in ritardo. – He did not let me know and, to make matters worse, he arrived late.
Non solo… ma anche
This structure means not only… but also…
Non solo parla italiano, ma conosce anche molto bene la cultura italiana. – Not only does he speak Italian, but he also knows Italian culture very well.
Italian connectors for contrasting ideas
Although these connectors express contrast, they are not completely interchangeable.
Ma
The closest English equivalent is but.
Vorrei uscire, ma devo lavorare. – I would like to go out, but I have to work.
Però
It also means but or however, although it can appear within the second part of the sentence.
Il film era lungo, però mi è piaciuto. – The film was long, but I liked it.
È una buona idea. Dobbiamo però considerare i costi. – It is a good idea. However, we must consider the costs.
In formal Italian, avoid using ma and però together in combinations such as ma però.
Tuttavia
It means however or nevertheless. It is more common in writing and formal contexts.
Il progetto presenta alcune difficoltà. Tuttavia, possiamo ancora completarlo. – The project presents some difficulties. However, we can still complete it.
Invece
Invece contrasts people, actions or situations. Depending on the context, it can mean instead, on the other hand or whereas.
Io preferisco il mare, Luca invece ama la montagna. – I prefer the sea; Luca, on the other hand, loves the mountains.
It should not always be translated as however.
Invece di
It means instead of and is followed by a noun or an infinitive.
Invece di prendere l’autobus, siamo andati a piedi. – Instead of taking the bus, we walked.
Italian connectors of cause
Causal connectors explain the reason for an action or situation.
Perché
It means because when it introduces a cause.
Sono rimasto a casa perché non stavo bene. – I stayed at home because I was not feeling well.
Perché also means why in questions:
Perché sei arrabbiata? – Why are you angry?
Siccome
It means since, as or given that. It generally introduces an already known cause and usually appears at the beginning of the sentence.
Siccome domani lavoro, stasera non uscirò. – Since I am working tomorrow, I will not go out tonight.
Unlike English since, Italian siccome is normally used at the beginning of the causal clause and does not express time.
Poiché
It means since or as. It is mainly used in writing or in a formal register.
Poiché non abbiamo ricevuto risposta, abbiamo annullato la prenotazione. – Since we did not receive a reply, we cancelled the booking.
Dato che and visto che
Both can be translated as given that, since or as.
Visto che sei già qui, possiamo cominciare. – Since you are already here, we can begin.
Dato che piove, prenderemo la macchina. – As it is raining, we will take the car.
Italian connectors of consequence
These connectors introduce the result of what has been stated previously.
Quindi
It means therefore, so or then.
Ho finito di lavorare, quindi posso uscire. – I have finished work, so I can go out.
Perciò
It means therefore or for that reason.
Non avevo dormito bene, perciò ero molto stanco. – I had not slept well, so I was very tired.
Dunque
It can mean therefore, thus or then. It is also used to resume a discussion.
Non ci sono altre domande. Possiamo dunque concludere la riunione. – There are no further questions. We can therefore conclude the meeting.
In conversation, you may also hear:
Dunque, che cosa facciamo? – So, what shall we do?
Di conseguenza
It means consequently or as a result and is common in formal texts.
I prezzi sono aumentati. Di conseguenza, molte persone hanno cambiato abitudini. – Prices have risen. Consequently, many people have changed their habits.
Pertanto
It means therefore or accordingly. It is used mainly in documents and formal communication.
La domanda è incompleta e pertanto non può essere accettata. – The application is incomplete and therefore cannot be accepted.
What is the difference between quindi and allora?
Both can mean then, but they are not always interchangeable.
Quindi mainly expresses a logical consequence:
Ha studiato molto, quindi ha superato l’esame. – He studied hard, so he passed the exam.
Allora is very common in conversation. It can indicate a consequence, introduce a decision or resume the discussion:
Allora, andiamo? – So, shall we go?
Connectors for organising ideas
These connectors are especially useful when recounting an experience, explaining a process or writing a text.
Innanzitutto and prima di tutto
Both mean first of all or firstly.
Innanzitutto, dobbiamo definire il problema. – First of all, we need to define the problem.
In primo luogo and in secondo luogo
They are used to present arguments in an orderly way.
In primo luogo analizzeremo i dati; in secondo luogo proporremo una soluzione. – Firstly, we will analyse the data; secondly, we will propose a solution.
Poi
It means then or afterwards.
Prima prepariamo gli ingredienti, poi cuciniamo. – First we prepare the ingredients, then we cook.
Successivamente and in seguito
They mean subsequently or later and are more common in writing.
Successivamente, i partecipanti compileranno un questionario. – Subsequently, the participants will complete a questionnaire.
Infine
It introduces the final element in a sequence.
Infine, aggiungiamo il formaggio e serviamo il piatto. – Finally, we add the cheese and serve the dish.
Connectors for introducing examples and explanations
Per esempio and ad esempio
Both mean for example.
Alcune città italiane, per esempio Bologna, hanno molti portici. – Some Italian cities, for example Bologna, have many porticoes.
Cioè
It is used to explain or clarify what has just been said. It can mean that is or in other words.
Partirò venerdì, cioè tra due giorni. – I will leave on Friday, that is, in two days.
In conversation, cioè can also be used as a filler. It is best not to repeat it constantly.
Ossia
It also means that is, but has a more formal or explanatory tone.
Il corso è annuale, ossia dura da settembre a giugno. – The course is annual, that is, it runs from September to June.
In altre parole
It means in other words.
Il progetto non è sostenibile. In altre parole, costa più di quanto possiamo spendere. – The project is not sustainable. In other words, it costs more than we can spend.
Infatti
Infatti introduces confirmation or an explanation of the previous idea. It can mean in fact or indeed.
Non verrà alla festa. Infatti, domani deve partire molto presto. – He will not come to the party. In fact, he has to leave very early tomorrow.
Do not confuse it with in realtà, which means actually or in reality.
Concessive connectors
Concessive connectors present a difficulty that does not prevent the main action from taking place.
Anche se
It means even though or although and is normally followed by the indicative.
Anche se sono stanco, finirò il lavoro. – Although I am tired, I will finish the work.
Sebbene and benché
They mean although or even though and, in careful or formal Italian, are followed by the subjunctive.
Sebbene sia tardi, continuano a lavorare. – Although it is late, they are still working.
Benché avesse studiato molto, non superò l’esame. – Although he had studied hard, he did not pass the exam.
Nonostante
It can be followed by a noun or by che plus the subjunctive.
Nonostante la pioggia, siamo usciti. – Despite the rain, we went out.
Nonostante fosse stanco, continuò a camminare. – Although he was tired, he continued walking.
Comunque
Depending on the context, it can mean anyway, in any case or nevertheless.
È molto tardi, ma finirò comunque il lavoro. – It is very late, but I will finish the work anyway.
Conditional connectors in Italian
Se
It is the most common conditional connector.
Se ho tempo, ti chiamo. – If I have time, I will call you.
To explore combinations of tenses and moods in more detail, read my guide to Italian hypothetical clauses.
A patto che and purché
They mean provided that or as long as and are followed by the subjunctive.
Ti aiuto, a patto che tu mi dica la verità. – I will help you provided that you tell me the truth.
Puoi uscire, purché tu torni presto. – You can go out as long as you come back early.
A meno che non
It means unless and is normally followed by the subjunctive. The word non is part of the Italian construction and does not add another negative meaning in English.
Andremo al mare, a meno che non piova. – We will go to the beach unless it rains.
Connectors for concluding and summarising
In conclusione
It is used to introduce the final conclusion of a text or presentation.
In conclusione, il progetto può essere realizzato. – In conclusion, the project can be carried out.
In sintesi
It means in summary or in short.
In sintesi, dobbiamo ridurre i costi e migliorare il servizio. – In summary, we need to reduce costs and improve the service.
In definitiva
It introduces an assessment or conclusion after considering different aspects.
In definitiva, il viaggio è stato faticoso ma interessante. – All in all, the trip was tiring but interesting.
Insomma
It is very common in spoken Italian. Depending on the intonation, it can be used to summarise, conclude or express impatience.
Insomma, alla fine abbiamo deciso di restare. – In short, in the end we decided to stay.
Insomma! Vuoi ascoltarmi oppure no? – Come on! Are you going to listen to me or not?
Common mistakes when using Italian connectors
Using invece as an automatic translation of “however”
Invece normally contrasts two elements:
Io lavoro da casa, mia sorella invece va in ufficio.
To introduce a separate objection, però or tuttavia is usually more appropriate.
Always placing siccome in the middle of a sentence
In modern Italian, siccome usually introduces the cause at the beginning:
Siccome ero stanco, sono andato a dormire.
If the cause comes afterwards, perché normally sounds more natural:
Sono andato a dormire perché ero stanco.
Using overly formal connectors in conversation
Words such as pertanto, poiché and tuttavia are correct, but can sound excessively formal in an informal conversation. When speaking, quindi, perché and però are usually more natural.
Exercise on Italian connectors
Complete the sentences using these connectors:
inoltre – invece – siccome – quindi – anche se – per esempio – a meno che non – infine
- __________ pioveva, siamo rimasti a casa.
- Ho finito il lavoro, __________ posso riposarmi.
- Io preferisco il tè; Marta, __________, beve sempre il caffè.
- __________ sono stanco, uscirò con voi.
- Alcuni verbi italiani, __________ essere e avere, sono irregolari.
- Il corso comprende lezioni dal vivo; __________, avrai accesso alle registrazioni.
- Andremo al parco, __________ faccia troppo freddo.
- __________, controlla il testo e correggi gli eventuali errori.
Answers
- Siccome pioveva, siamo rimasti a casa.
- Ho finito il lavoro, quindi posso riposarmi.
- Io preferisco il tè; Marta, invece, beve sempre il caffè.
- Anche se sono stanco, uscirò con voi.
- Alcuni verbi italiani, per esempio essere e avere, sono irregolari.
- Il corso comprende lezioni dal vivo; inoltre, avrai accesso alle registrazioni.
- Andremo al parco, a meno che non faccia troppo freddo.
- Infine, controlla il testo e correggi gli eventuali errori.
For more practice, you can also use my Italian exercises organised by level.
Learn to use connectors when speaking Italian
Memorising a list of connectors is useful, but it does not guarantee that you will use them spontaneously. To incorporate them into your Italian, you need to encounter them in context, write your own examples and use them in real conversations.
You can also expand your everyday vocabulary with these Italian expressions with meanings and examples.
In my one-to-one Italian lessons, we work on speaking and writing according to your goals and level.
If you prefer practising with other people, take a look at my online Italian group courses too.
