Italian C1: Nuances: magari, mica, pure, ecco · Phrases

Small words carry the tone of spoken Italian. magari means maybe, or if only: Magari fosse vero! mica strengthens a negative: Non è mica facile. pure softens an invitation: Entri pure. ecco presents or concludes: Ecco il treno; Ecco perché. allora, dunque and insomma organise what you say: well, so, in short. figurati answers thanks: don’t mention it.

• magari — if only; maybe
• mica — at all (with non)
• pure — go ahead; also
• ecco — here is; that’s it
• insomma — in short
• dunque — therefore
• allora — well then
• figurati — don’t mention it

• Magari fosse vero! — If only it were true!
• Non ho mica capito. — I didn’t understand at all.
• Entra pure! — Come on in!
• Insomma, com'è andata? — So, how did it go?