Magari + subjunctive: Italian grammar lesson 214

Unleash the power of “magari” in your Italian conversations! This versatile gem adds a touch of optimism and hope to your wishes, making them sparkle. Learn how to use “magari” in Italian with the subjunctive mood and captivate your audience with your linguistic flair.

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Contents

Magari

Magari + subjunctive

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Magari + subjunctive: examples

Summary

The versatile Italian word "magari" is a gem in everyday language, carrying multiple meanings and adding hopefulness and positivity to conversations. Although there's no direct English translation, "magari" resembles "perhaps" or "maybe," but with an optimistic twist. When coupled with the subjunctive mood, "magari" can be translated as "if only," "I wish," or "it would be nice if," expressing a wish or hope. It can be used with the imperfect subjunctive or past perfect subjunctive, depending on whether the wish is in the present or refers to the past. For present wishes, use "magari + congiuntivo imperfetto," while past wishes call for "magari + congiuntivo trapassato"

Magari

In all languages, some words are very useful, and common, and carry lots of meanings. An excellent example of this is the Italian word “magari”.

We use magari to talk about a wish or a desire. There’s no direct English translation for magari, but it’s like saying perhaps or maybe with a sense of hopefulness and positivity.

This word is also used a lot with the subjunctive. In this case, we can translate magari + subjunctive as “if only”, “I wish”, or even as “it would be nice if“.

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In other words, this word expresses a wish or hope.

Magari + subjunctive

We use magari with either the congiuntivo imperfetto or the congiuntivo trapassato when we wish for something.

If you need to review these two constructions, we suggest you have a look at the Italian grammar lessons 209 and 210.

Now let’s look at the two possible scenarios:

Magari + congiuntivo imperfetto: to express a wish in the present
Magari + congiuntivo trapassato: to express a wish referring to the past

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Let’s compare the two following sentences:

Magari venisse alla festa!

If only she came to the party! / I hope she comes to the party! (She might or might not come.)

Magari fosse venuta alla festa!

If only she had come to the party! / I wish she had come to the party! (But she didn’t.)

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Magari + subjunctive: examples

Let’s have a look at some more examples. Make sure you pay attention to whether the verbs are in the congiuntivo imperfetto or congiuntivo trapassato.

Magari potessi venire con voi, ma non posso!

I wish I could come with you, but I can’t.

Magari ci dessero più tempo per mandare tutti i documenti.

If only they gave us more time to send all the documents.

Magari aveste avuto una seconda opportunità!

If only you had had a second opportunity!

Magari facesse caldo!

If only it were hot!

Magari fossimo andati al mare!

I wish we had gone to the beach!

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FAQs on Magari + subjunctive: Italian grammar lesson 214

What is the meaning of Magari?

The origin of the commonly used expression "magari" can be traced back to its Greek roots, where it meant blessed or happy. It was originally used to convey hope or optimism, and can still be used in that context today. When using "magari," it is typically to express desire, aspiration, or hope for something.

What is the difference between Italian magari and forse?

The Italian language has two words that express possibility: "forse" and "magari". Although "forse" has a neutral connotation, "magari" implies a sense of excitement and optimism. When using "magari", you express a strong desire for that possibility to become a reality.