How to say “Rather” in Italian
“Anzi”
The easiest way to translate “rather than” in Italian is with the word anzi. This is a very common and useful Italian conjunction that is typically used with adversative value, usually after a sentence with a negative meaning.
Anzi can be used to say the opposite of what has just been said. It usually introduces a sentence that adds contradicting information, for example:
Non mi dispiace, anzi, mi fa tanto piacere!
I don’t mind, in fact, I’m glad about it!
Non ho fame, anzi, sono piena!
I’m not hungry, actually, I’m full!
As you can see, it can be translated in different ways in English, and “rather than” is only one of them. Other possible translations are “on the contrary”, “in fact”, or “actually”.
How to use “Anzi” in Italian
In general, anzi is used in two main case:
- When there’s more to say about a topic or to reinforce a statement. In these cases, it is translated as “indeed“, “or better still“, “or better yet“, or “even“.
Sto bene, anzi, sto benissimo!
I’m good, indeed I’m really good!
Lei è simpatica, anzi, forse è la persona più simpatica che conosco.
She’s nice, or better, she’s maybe the nicest person I know.
- To negate the main point of a sentence, introducing a correction. In this case, it is translated as “or rather” or “I mean“.
Vorrei un bicchiere di vino, anzi, una birra.
I’d like a glass of wine, I mean, a beer.
Ho comprato, anzi, mia mamma mi ha comprato questo cellulare.
I bought, or rather, my mum bought me, this cell phone.
Other Uses of “Anzi”
“Anzi” Alone
Sometimes, anzi is so full of meaning that Italians don’t even need to complete the sentence.
This is very common in Italian conversations. It might be because Italians are so expressive that sometimes they don’t need many words. Just one word or gesture is enough.
In this specific case, anzi is used with its original contradictive meaning to negate a sentence. However, with this use, it is not followed by anything else.
Non sono triste, anzi!
I’m not sad, on the contrary!
If the person talking were to complete the sentence, they would say something like:
Non sono triste, anzi, sono contentissima!
I’m not sad, on the contrary, I’m so happy!
“Anzi” Combined With Other Words
Anzi is also very commonly used to create two compound words: anziché (instead of, rather than) and innanzitutto (firstly, first of all).
Ha preferito mandare i suoi figli ad una scuola pubblica anziché privata.
He preferred to send his children to a state school, rather than a private one.
Innanzitutto, vorrei ringraziare di essere venuti alla mia festa.
First of all, I’d like to thank you all for coming to my party.
