e
/e/
The English word 'and' is translated into Italian as e. Wiktionary also lists ed.
Meaning: used to connect two similar words, phrases, et cetera (conj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| e | /e/ | |
| ed | /ˈed/ /ed/ |
before vowel |
The word is a conjunction used to connect similar words or phrases.
Which one should you use?
The form ed is used specifically before a word starting with a vowel. This is commonly done when the following word starts with 'e', 'i' or 'o'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ed is used instead of e when the following word begins with the letter 'e' to avoid a hiatus.
How do you pronounce it?
/e/
Did you know?
- The spelling of the Latin root et changed over time as the 't' was dropped in the transition to the Italian e, effectively turning a conjunction into a single letter.
- While ed is used before vowels, modern Italian speakers often use e even then, unless the next word starts with the letter e. Using ed before other vowels can sometimes sound overly formal or archaic.
- When writing poetry or song lyrics, the choice between e and ed is often dictated by the rhythm or meter of the verse rather than standard prose rules.
Examples in context
- No, no e no!No, no, and furthermore, no!This example shows how e can be used to add emphasis in a sequence.Tatoeba #4726765 by Guybrush88, translation #1490778 by niceguydave
- E ho 16 anni.And I'm 16 years old.This example shows the use of e at the start of a sentence.Tatoeba #10451668 by Guybrush88, translation #10061358 by ddnktr
- Odio te e Tom.I hate you and Tom.This example shows e connecting two nouns.Tatoeba #12922650 by Guybrush88, translation #8426675 by CK
- Maria e Giuseppe sono amici.Maria and Giuseppe are friends.
- Prendo il tè ed il caffè.I'll have tea and coffee.
- L'Italia è famosa per la sua cucina, nonché per il suo patrimonio artistico.Italy is famous for its cuisine, as well as its artistic heritage.
- 18133 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are deciding what to order at a cafe.
- ChiaraVuoi un caffè e un cornetto?Do you want a coffee and a croissant?
- LorenzoSì, e vorrei anche un tè.Yes, and I would also like a tea.
- ChiaraPerfetto, prendo un tè per Lorenzo e uno per me.Perfect, I'll take a tea for Lorenzo and one for me.
- LorenzoGrazie, sei molto gentile.Thank you, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “and” translations and entries e, ed, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries e, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
