Ancora uno
/anˈko.ra ˈu.no/word by word
The English phrase "one more" is translated into Italian as Ancora uno.
Ancora uno is used to indicate an additional single unit of something.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Ancora uno means "still one". The word ancora can mean both "still/yet" and "again/more" depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
While Ancora uno emphasizes the addition of one more to a current count, Un altro is more commonly used to mean "another one" in a general sense. Ancora uno is often used as a standalone exclamation.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use Ancora un altro when "one more" refers to a masculine noun, such as in the phrase un altro biscotto (one more cookie). Use Ancora un'altra if the object being referred to is a feminine noun, such as in the phrase un'altra tazza di tè (one more cup of tea). The phrase un'altra volta is used to ask for one more time or repetition of something.
How do you pronounce it?
/anˈko.ra ˈu.no/
Did you know?
- The word ancora has a surprising double meaning in Italian: it can mean 'still' or 'again' but it also means 'anchor' as in a ship's anchor.
- The word ancora likely evolved from the Late Latin phrase hanc hōram, which literally meant 'until this hour'.
- In a social setting like a bar, saying Ancora uno while gesturing to a glass is a standard way to order another drink without naming the beverage.
Examples in context
- Posso avere un altro caffè, per favore?Can I have one more coffee, please?
- Posso avere ancora uno spuntino, per cortesia?May I have another snack, please?
- Potrei sentire quella canzone un'altra volta?Could I listen to that song one more time?
- Vorrei ordinare un'altra bottiglia di vino della casa, per piacere.I would like to order one more bottle of house wine, please.
- Posso prendere ancora un gelato alla vaniglia?Can I have one more vanilla ice cream?
- Ancora uno, per favore.One more, please.
- Ne abbiamo ancora uno in magazzino.We have one more in the warehouse.
Example conversation
At a coffee bar in Italy.
- MartinaAlessandro, ne vorrei ancora uno.Alessandro, I would like one more.
- AlessandroVuoi ancora un caffè?Do you want one more coffee?
- MartinaSì, ancora uno, grazie.Yes, one more, thanks.
- AlessandroCertamente, Martina. Lo preparo subito.Certainly, Martina. I'll make it right away.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ancora, uno) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ancora, uno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
