Italian word of the day
Senza is an adverb that can be translated into English as “instead”, “but” or “on the other hand”, so it introduces a clause that negates what we’ve just said.
Invece
Instead, but
Examples
Pensavo fosse un lupo, invece era un grosso cane.
I thought it was a wolf, but instead it was a big dog.
Perché invece non andiamo a Londra?
Why don’t we go to London instead?
A me piace molto nuotare. Mia sorella, invece, preferisce correre.
I really like swimming. My sister, on the other hand, prefers to run.
Questa frase è giusta, invece questa è sbagliata.
This sentence is right, but this one is wrong.
Pensavamo che Marco dovesse studiare, invece lo abbiamo sorpreso davanti alla PlayStation.
We thought Marco should study, but instead we caught him in front of the PlayStation.
Faccio colazione ogni mattina. – Io invece la salto ogni lunedì.
I eat breakfast every morning. – I, on the other hand, skip it every Monday.
Using invece in Italian
When it’s not used alone, invece is very often followed by the preposition DI (forming invece di), which can be translated into English as “instead of”. It’s followed by either a noun or an infinitive verb.
Unlike English, invece di is never followed by a verb in the gerund form.
Giorgia mi ha offerto del tè invece del caffè.
Giorgia offered me tea instead of coffee.
Sono rimasto a casa tutto il giorno invece di andare al cinema.
I stayed at home all day instead of going to the movies.
Voglio studiare l’esperanto invece del tedesco.
I want to study Esperanto instead of German.
Invece di chiacchierare, lavorate!
Instead of chatting, work!
Finally, there is also invece che, which means “instead of” when it precedes a preposition. For example, you could say…
Vorrei venire con te invece che con Riccardo.
I would like to go with you instead of Riccardo.
Penso che andrò al cinema, invece che a teatro.
I think I will go to the movies instead of the theater.
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