"Magari o Forse? Here's how to choose the right adverb." Italian for foreigners

#RobertoBorzellinoLinguaitalianaperstranieri.

MAGARI

a) Esclamazione – viene usata da sola nelle risposte o anteposta per rinforzare una frase che esprime un augurio, usata con il verbo al congiuntivo.
Esprime auspicio, desiderio o rimpianto per qualcuno o qualcosa:

– Allora, andiamo domani al cinema?
– Magari! (Magari potessi venire!), ma devo studiare per l’esame di storia che si terrà lunedì mattina.

– Ti piacerebbe venire in Italia con me il mese prossimo?
– Magari!
- Magari potessi venire con te!

– Quindi lui ti manca così tanto?
– Tantissimo. Magari lo potessi rivedere.

– Magari fossi ricca!
*Magari potessi prendermi un anno di vacanza!

b) Avverbio

1 - Piuttosto, perfino, addirittura; introduce una frase che ha preferenza rispetto a un’altra frase, introdotta generalmente da “ma” (coordinata avversativa):

– Che cosa farai dei libri del tuo ex?
– Magari li butterò nella spazzatura, ma non glieli restituirò!

– Adesso come farai a vivere?
– Magari vado a chiedere l’elemosina, ma a lei i soldi non li chiederò.

2 - Anche se, con valore concessivo:

– Ci compreremo una casa nuova, magari (anche se) a rate.

3 - probabilmente, con valore frasale:

– Perché Claudio non ti ha rivolto la parola alla festa?
– Che ne so! Magari (probabilmente) si è offeso.

– Quando ci sentiamo?
– Magari (forse) ti chiamo domani mattina.

4 - Eventualmente, semmai:

– Veniamo da te il prossimo fine settimana, va bene?
– Magari chiamatemi prima di venire.

FORSE

a) Probabilmente, chissà, può darsi (esprime incertezza), si contrappone a certamente, sicuramente:

– Scusami se non ti ho dato retta ieri sera, forse (magari) avevi ragione.

Il suo significato si proietta sull’intera frase anche quando è messo alla fine:

– Sai dov’è Carlo? – Lui è a Parigi, forse.

b) Indica eventualità:

– Partirai sabato prossimo? – Forse.

c) Seguito da un numerale equivale a circa, pressappoco:

– Quante persone hai invitato al tuo compleanno?
– Forse ne ho invitate 40; ho invitato 40 persone.

– Quanti libri hai comprato ieri?
– Forse una decina.

MAYBE

(a) Exclamation-it is used alone in responses or placed before to reinforce a sentence expressing a wish, used with the verb in the subjunctive.
It expresses wish, desire or regret for someone or something:

- So, shall we go to the movies tomorrow?
- I wish I could (I wish I could come!), but I have to study for my history exam on Monday morning.

- Would you like to come to Italy with me next month?
- I wish I could!
- I wish I could come with you!

- So you miss him that much?
- So much. I wish I could see him again.

- I wish I was rich!
*Maybe I could take a year's vacation!

(b) Adverb

1 - Rather, even, even; introduces a sentence that has preference over another sentence, usually introduced by "but" (adversative coordinate):

- What will you do with your ex's books?
- Maybe I'll throw them in the trash, but I won't give them back to him!

- How are you going to live now?
- Maybe I'll go begging, but I won't ask her for money.

2 - Although, with concessive value:

- We'll buy a new house, maybe (though) in installments.

3 - Probably, with phrasal value:

- Why didn't Claudio talk to you at the party?
- What do I know. Maybe (probably) he was offended.

- When do we talk?
- Maybe (probably) I'll call you in the morning.

4 - Eventually, if anything:

- We'll come to your place next weekend, OK?
- Maybe call me before you come.

MAYBE

(a) Probably, who knows, may be (expresses uncertainty), is opposed to certainly, definitely:

- Sorry I didn't listen to you last night, maybe (maybe) you were right.

Its meaning is projected on the whole sentence even when it is put at the end:

- Do you know where Carlo is? - He is in Paris, maybe.

(b) Indicates eventuality:

- Are you leaving next Saturday? - Maybe.

(c) Followed by a numeral equals approximately, roughly:

- How many people did you invite to your birthday party?
- Maybe I invited 40; I invited 40 people.

- How many books did you buy yesterday?
- Maybe about 10.

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