neanche
/neˈan.ke/
The English phrase "not even" is translated into Italian as neanche.
The word neanche is used to emphasize that something is surprising or unexpected, often in negative statements. It can also be used to mean "neither" or "nor" when listing negative items. For example, to say "not even one" in the masculine singular, you use the phrase neanche uno.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The informal form manco is particularly popular in southern Italy.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use neanche to mean "neither" or "nor" within a list of negative items, place it after the verb or the noun it is modifying.
How do you pronounce it?
The word neanche is pronounced /neˈan.ke/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- Because neanche is used to emphasize a negative, it often triggers a 'double negative' effect in Italian where the word 'non' is also required before the verb. This differs from English, where two negatives usually cancel each other out.
- The word neanche is actually a linguistic 'fusion' of two words: the particle né, meaning 'neither', and anche, meaning 'also'.
- If you want to sound more poetic or emphatic in literature, you might encounter neppure instead of neanche. It serves the same purpose but carries a slightly more formal or dramatic weight.
Examples in context
- Non è neanche divertente.That's not even funny.This sentence is useful for showing how to use neanche to negate an adjective.Tatoeba #3144975 by Guybrush88, translation #1897800 by CK
- Non è neanche divertente!It's not even funny!This sentence uses neanche to add emphasis to a negative statement.Tatoeba #5317517 by Guybrush88, translation #2740078 by Hybrid
- Non è neanche un'opzione.That's not even an option.This sentence shows how to use neanche to negate a noun phrase.Tatoeba #7034770 by Guybrush88, translation #3531822 by CK
- Non ho neppure tempo per fare una pausa.I don't even have time for a break.
- Neppure i più esperti sono riusciti a risolvere il problema.Not even the most experienced ones managed to solve the problem.
- Non riesco a trovare neanche le chiavi di casa.I can't even find the house keys.
- Neanche il sindaco può prendere questa decisione da solo.Not even the mayor can make this decision alone.
- Non ho manco un euro in tasca.I don't even have a euro in my pocket.
- Non è venuto manco un amico alla festa.Not even one friend came to the party.
- Non mangio neanche per sogno i carciofi.I don't eat artichokes, not even in my wildest dreams.
- Questo compito non lo finirai neanche per sogno.You won't finish this task, not even in your wildest dreams.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are discussing a movie they just watched.
- ChiaraChe film noioso! Non mi sono neanche svegliata.What a boring movie! I didn't even wake up.
- AlessandroHai ragione, era davvero terribile.You're right, it was truly terrible.
- ChiaraE non mi è neanche piaciuta la musica.And I didn't even like the music.
- AlessandroSperiamo che il prossimo sia migliore.Let's hope the next one is better.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry neanche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries neanche, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
