speriamo
The Italian way to say hopefully is speriamo.
In English, 'hopefully' is often used as an adverb to modify an entire sentence. However, Italian speakers typically express this sentiment using the verb speriamo to mean 'we hope'.
Meaning: it is hoped that (adv)
Which one should you use?
While English uses the adverb 'hopefully' to modify a whole sentence, Italian typically uses the verb speriamo to express the same sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using speriamo to mean 'hopefully' followed by a clause, it is almost always followed by the conjunction 'che' and requires the subjunctive mood in the following verb.
Did you know?
- The verb sperare is a cognate of the English word 'despair'. In Latin, 'sperare' means 'to hope' and 'de-sperare' means 'to be without hope'.
- Italian has a specific idiom Speriamo bene, which translates to 'let's hope for the best'. It is used far more frequently than the literal translation of 'hopefully'.
- Using speriamo can sometimes sound more communal or collective than the English 'hopefully', as if the speaker is inviting others to share in the hope.
Examples in context
- Speriamo che tutto vada bene.Hopefully everything turns out all right.This sentence shows how to use speriamo to express hope about things turning out well.Tatoeba #8378057 by jacopofar, translation #3345712 by durka42
- Speriamo che accada.Hopefully, that'll happen.This sentence demonstrates the use of speriamo to express hope that something happens.Tatoeba #11713037 by mugnozzo, translation #9711813 by CK
- "Speriamo che impareremo a controllare questo parassita", ha affermato l'agricoltrice Michelle Armstrong, che coltiva mais dolce e ortaggi."Hopefully we'll learn how to control this pest," said farmer Michelle Armstrong, who grows sweet corn and vegetables.This sentence illustrates speriamo used in a complex sentence regarding learning to control a pest.Tatoeba #13312370 by Guybrush88, translation #7767335 by Hybrid
- Domani, auspicabilmente, arriveranno le buone notizie.Tomorrow, hopefully, the good news will arrive.
- Speriamo che il tempo migliori.Hopefully, the weather gets better.
- Magari riesco ad arrivare in tempo alla festa.Hopefully, I can make it to the party on time.
- Si spera che tutto vada bene alla festa!Hopefully, everything goes well at the party!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about the weather during a weekend trip.
- LorenzoSperiamo che non piova domani.Hopefully it won't rain tomorrow.
- GiuliaSì, vorrei tanto andare in spiaggia.Yes, I would really love to go to the beach.
- LorenzoSperiamo che il cielo resti sereno.Hopefully the sky stays clear.
- GiuliaSperiamo, Lorenzo, sarebbe fantastico!Hopefully, Lorenzo, it would be fantastic!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
