incontrare per caso
/in.konˈtra.re per ˈka.zo/word by word
The English phrase 'run into' is translated into Italian as incontrare per caso.
The phrase is used to describe encountering or meeting someone unexpectedly. While the verb incontrare alone can mean to meet in a planned or general sense, adding per caso specifies that the encounter was unplanned, which matches the English sense of 'running into' someone.
Meaning: to encounter or meet (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb incontrare (to meet) and the adverbial phrase per caso (by chance).
Which one should you use?
The verb incontrare can mean 'to meet' in a planned context, whereas incontrare per caso specifically indicates an accidental or unplanned encounter. Additionally, the verb ritrovarsi can be used to mean 'to find oneself' and can imply unexpectedly running into someone.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /in.konˈtra.re per ˈka.zo/. It has 6 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- In many parts of Italy, people use the slang verb beccarsi to mean 'to run into' someone. This is a playful expression that literally translates to 'to peck each other' like birds.
- The word caso comes from the Latin word for 'a fall', suggesting that an unplanned encounter is like a 'fall' of fate.
- The word caso is a linguistic chameleon. It is used both to describe a random 'chance' encounter and to refer to a formal 'legal case' in a courtroom.
Examples in context
- Ho incontrato Marco al supermercato.I ran into Marco at the supermarket.
- Mi sono imbattuto/a nel mio vicino mentre passeggiavo il cane.I ran into my neighbor while walking the dog.
- Sono incappato/a nel mio professore all'uscita del cinema.I ran into my professor at the movie theater exit.
- Non mi aspettavo di incontrare Paola durante la mia vacanza in Sicilia.I didn't expect to run into Paola during my vacation in Sicily.
- Ci siamo ritrovati all'università, come se niente fosse cambiato.We ran into each other at the university, as if nothing had changed.
- Ho incontrato per caso un vecchio amico al supermercato.I ran into an old friend at the supermarket.
- Spero di non incontrare per caso il mio capo.I hope I don't run into my boss by accident.
- Puoi incontrare per caso la tua vicina in centro.You might run into your neighbor downtown.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (incontrare, per, caso) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caso, incontrare, per, CC BY-SA 4.0.
