Ciao! Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to say “sometimes” in Italian. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your language skills, learning how to express this common adverb can greatly enhance your conversations. In this guide, we’ll cover the formal and informal ways to say “sometimes” in Italian, and explore any regional variations that may exist. So, let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Sometimes”
1. A volte
The most common and formal way to say “sometimes” in Italian is a volte. It is a versatile phrase that can be used in various situations. Here are a few examples:
A volte mangio fuori al ristorante.
Sometimes I eat at the restaurant.
A volte il tempo è imprevedibile.
Sometimes the weather is unpredictable.
2. Ogni tanto
Another formal and slightly less common way to express “sometimes” is ogni tanto. It carries a sense of irregular occurrence. Take a look at the following examples:
Ogni tanto vado al cinema con gli amici.
Sometimes I go to the movies with friends.
Ogni tanto mi concedo una pausa dolce.
Sometimes I treat myself to a sweet break.
Informal Ways to Say “Sometimes”
1. Qualche volta
In informal contexts, a common way to say “sometimes” is qualche volta. It adds a casual touch to your conversations. Let’s see it in action:
Qualche volta mi annoio in ufficio.
Sometimes I get bored at the office.
Qualche volta mi perdo nei pensieri.
Sometimes I get lost in my thoughts.
2. A tratti
For an even more informal way to say “sometimes,” you can use a tratti. It suggests sporadic occurrences. Check out these examples:
A tratti mi dimentico le chiavi di casa.
Sometimes I forget the house keys.
A tratti mi annoio di stare sempre a casa.
Sometimes I get bored of always being at home.
Regional Variations
Italian is a rich language with subtle regional variations. While the expressions mentioned so far are widely understood and utilized across Italy, here are a couple of regional variations for “sometimes”:
1. Ogni du’ tre
In some southern regions, especially Naples and Southern Campania, you might come across the phrase ogni du’ tre. It has a similar meaning to “sometimes” and is used colloquially by locals:
Ogni du’ tre vado a trovare mia nonna.
Sometimes I go visit my grandmother.
Avevo un po’ di tempo libero, quindi ogni du’ tre guardavo la televisione.
I had some free time, so sometimes I watched TV.
2. A paglia e fieno
In parts of Emilia-Romagna, mainly Bologna, the expression a paglia e fieno is used informally. It translates to “sometimes” but carries a slight sense of unpredictability:
A paglia e fieno mi capitano delle sorprese.
Sometimes I get surprised.
A paglia e fieno mi perdo nelle strade della città.
Sometimes I get lost in the city streets.
Remember, these regional variations are optional and not widely known outside their respective areas, so it’s always safer to use the standard expressions mentioned earlier.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of this comprehensive guide on how to say “sometimes” in Italian. You now have a range of formal and informal expressions to choose from, allowing you to express the frequency of events in your conversations with ease. Whether you opt for the more common phrases like a volte and qualche volta, or try the regional variations, you’ll impress both native Italian speakers and fellow learners alike. So go ahead, practice these expressions, and take your Italian communication skills to a whole new level. Buona fortuna!
