ah davvero?
/ˈa davˈve.ro/word by word
The English phrase "oh really?" is expressed in Italian as ah davvero?
This expression is used to show surprise or interest in response to something someone has just said. You can also use the shorter form davvero? to mean "Oh really?" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The word davvero is an adverb meaning "really" or "truly".
Which one should you use?
While ah davvero? expresses surprise or interest, using a falling intonation can make it sound skeptical, similar to how "Oh, really?" functions in English. You can also use ma davvero?, which replaces "ah" with "ma" (but). This version is a very common way to express heightened disbelief or surprise.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈa davˈve.ro/. The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st of 3.
Did you know?
- The word davvero is a 'univerbation', which means two separate words, 'da' and 'vero', fused together over centuries to create a single, new word.
- The root vero is the ancestor of the English word 'veracity', which describes the habit of telling the truth.
- In a conversation, repeating davvero, davvero twice in a row is a common way to insist that you are telling the truth.
Examples in context
- Davvero? Fantastico!Oh really? Fantastic!
- Ma davvero? Non ci posso credere!Oh really? I can't believe it!
- Ah davvero?Oh really?
- Ah davvero? Non lo sapevo.Oh really? I didn't know that.
- Ah davvero? È una notizia incredibile!Oh really? That's incredible news!
Example conversation
Lorenzo tells Giulia that he has started a new job.
- LorenzoHo finalmente trovato un nuovo lavoro.I finally found a new job.
- GiuliaAh davvero? Complimenti, Lorenzo!Oh really? Congratulations, Lorenzo!
- LorenzoGrazie mille, sono molto felice.Thanks a lot, I am very happy.
- GiuliaTe lo meriti davvero.You really deserve it.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ah, davvero) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries davvero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
