occasione
/ok.kaˈzjo.ne/
The Italian word for "occasion" is occasione, used for a special event or function.
occasione covers a special event as well as an opportunity, much like English "occasion" and "chance".
Meaning: special event or function (noun)
Which one should you use?
evento refers to a more organized event. cerimonia stresses the ceremonial side of an event, typically a religious or official ceremony.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
occasione is feminine. Because it starts with a vowel, "an occasion" is un'occasione. The plural is le occasioni. The related verb occasionare means to give occasion to or to cause.
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA is /ok.kaˈzjo.ne/. It has four syllables with the stress on the third, and the double c is held a little longer.
Did you know?
- While occasione means a special event, it is most frequently used in daily Italian to describe a bargain or a 'steal'. If a shop has an occasione, it means the items are priced exceptionally low.
- The Italian word occasione has a linguistic 'twin' called cagione. These two words are doublets, meaning they both evolved from the same Latin root but took different paths into modern Italian.
- The verb occasionare is often used in a slightly negative context, such as describing something that 'caused' an accident or an inconvenience.
Examples in context
- Non è un'occasione felice.It's not a happy occasion.un'occasione felice means "a happy occasion".Tatoeba #5069741 by Guybrush88, translation #5069707 by CK
- Sarà una grande occasione.It'll be a big occasion.una grande occasione means "a big occasion".Tatoeba #11712620 by Guybrush88, translation #3315059 by CK
- È stata un'occasione gioiosa.It was a joyous occasion.un'occasione gioiosa describes a joyous occasion.Tatoeba #10579177 by Guybrush88, translation #10107964 by ddnktr
- Non vedo l'ora di celebrare questa occasione speciale con te.I can't wait to celebrate this special occasion with you.
- Vieni a cena domani sera? È un'ottima occasione per vedersi.Are you coming to dinner tomorrow night? It's a great occasion to catch up.
- È un momento importante per la nostra famiglia.It's an important moment for our family.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Matteo are discussing a party.
- MartinaÈ un'occasione importante, vero?It is an important occasion, right?
- MatteoSì, è una festa speciale.Yes, it is a special party.
- MartinaAllora dobbiamo preparare tutto.Then we must prepare everything.
- MatteoHai ragione, Martina.You are right, Martina.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry occasione, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries occasione, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
