How to say “so much that”: Italian grammar lesson

An interactive lesson guiding you from key takeaways to expert insights. Comes with Q&A, useful vocabulary, interactive audio, quizzes and games.

Abbiamo riso così tanto che ci fanno male gli addominali.
Abbiamo riso così tanto che ci fanno male gli addominali.
Abbiamo riso così tanto che ci fanno male gli addominali.
Published Aug 23, 2021
Updated Sep 24, 2025
Written by
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Key Takeaways

  • Così tanto che translates to so much that in English, linking cause and consequence in a sentence.
  • This structure emphasizes actions done to a significant extent, highlighting their resulting effects or consequences.
  • Examples include: Ho studiato così tanto che (I studied so much that) and Mi manca così tanto che (I miss him so much that).
  • Use così tanto che to express feelings or actions that lead to notable outcomes, such as pain or inability to sleep.
  • It’s a useful phrase for expressing emotional or physical states resulting from excessive actions.

Stefano's Insights

Play to see captions...
Ah, 'così tanto che'! È la perfetta espressione italiana per dire 'so much that' in inglese. La usiamo per sottolineare quanto qualcosa sia stato fatto o accaduto al punto da avere conseguenze. Ad esempio, 'Ho mangiato così tanto che mi fa male la pancia'. È un modo elegante per collegare causa ed effetto in una sola frase. Mi ricorda quando ho mangiato una quantità esorbitante di gelato al pistacchio; il risultato? Una pancia dolorante ma felice. È un'espressione utile per descrivere situazioni comuni, come studiare fino a far male la testa o ballare fino a far male i piedi. Insomma, un piccolo gioiello linguistico per arricchire il tuo italiano quotidiano!
Ah, 'così tanto che'! It's the perfect Italian expression for saying 'so much that' in English. We use it to emphasize how something was done or happened to such an extent that there are consequences. For example, 'Ho mangiato così tanto che mi fa male la pancia'. It's an elegant way to link cause and effect in one sentence. It reminds me of when I ate an exorbitant amount of pistachio gelato; the result? A sore but happy stomach. It's a useful expression for describing common situations, like studying until your head hurts or dancing until your feet hurt. In short, a linguistic gem to enrich your everyday Italian!

Quick facts

What does "così tanto che" mean in Italian?

"Così tanto che" means "so much that," indicating a cause-and-consequence relationship.

How can "così tanto che" be used in a sentence?

Use it to emphasize extensive actions with consequences, e.g., "Ho studiato così tanto che mi fa male la testa."

What's an example of "così tanto che" in the context of studying?

"Ho studiato così tanto che mi fa male la testa" translates to "I've studied so much that my head hurts."

How would you use "così tanto che" to discuss dancing?

"Abbiamo ballato così tanto che i piedi ci fanno male" means "We danced so much that our feet hurt."

Can "così tanto che" be used to describe eating habits?

Yes, "Ho mangiato così tanto che mi fa male la pancia" means "I ate so much that my stomach hurts."

How does "così tanto che" link cause and consequence?

It connects an extensive action with its direct consequence in the same sentence, emphasizing the magnitude of the action.

How might "così tanto che" be used to describe emotional impact?

"Mi manca così tanto che non riesco a dormire" means "I miss him so much that I cannot sleep."

Can "così tanto che" be used to express strong preferences?

Yes, "Ci piace così tanto che abbiamo deciso di comprarlo" translates to "We like it so much that we decided to buy it."

Is "così tanto che" applicable to conversational habits?

Certainly, "Luigi parla così tanto che a volte non riesco a seguirlo" means "Luigi speaks so much that sometimes I cannot follow him."

What is the structural utility of "così tanto che" in sentences?

It emphasizes the extent of an action and its resulting consequence, creating a clear, impactful narrative link.

Audio images

🔊
Lei ha guidato così tanto che ha finito la benzina.
🔊
Questa pizza è così buona che ne voglio un'altra fetta.
🔊
Abbiamo riso così tanto che ci fanno male gli addominali.
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Main Article

What does così tanto che mean in Italian?

If you’re wondering how to say so much that in Italian, you came to the right place. Keep on reading to figure it out!

Così tanto che is the Italian way for saying so much that in English.

Let’s have a look at the examples below to understand better:

Ho studiato così tanto che mi fa male la testa.

I’ve studied so much that my head hurts.

Abbiamo ballato così tanto che i piedi ci fanno male.

We dance so much that our feet hurt.

 

How to use così tanto che?

We use this structure when we want to emphasize that something was done or happened to a very big extent and there are consequences.

Let’s take the following sentences as an example:

Ho mangiato così tanto che mi fa male la pancia.

I ate so much that my stomach hurts.

This means that the consequence of eating so much is that now my stomach hurts.

As you can see, there is a cause and a consequence.

Così tanto che lets us link the cause with the consequence in the very same sentence.

Così tanto che: examples

Let’s have a look at some more examples:

Mi manca così tanto che non riesco a dormire.

I miss him so much that I cannot sleep.

Ci piace così tanto che abbiamo deciso di comprarlo.

We like it so much that we decided to buy it.

Luigi parla così tanto che a volte non riesco a seguirlo.

Luigi speaks so much that sometimes I cannot follow him.

Key Terms and Concepts

Così tanto che

The phrase così tanto che translates to 'so much that' in English. It is used to indicate a strong cause-and-effect relationship between two actions.

Cause-and-Effect Structure

This linguistic structure links an action or situation with its consequence using phrases like così tanto che to emphasize the intensity of the cause leading to the effect.

Emphasis in Language

In Italian, così tanto che is used to emphasize the degree or extent of an action, highlighting its significant impact or consequence.

Consequence Linking

Così tanto che connects a cause with its outcome in a single sentence, making it clear why the consequence occurred due to the preceding action.

Usage in Sentences

Sentences using così tanto che often describe actions with strong outcomes, such as physical effects or decisions, illustrating the link between intensity and result.

Test your knowledge in 10 quick questions

Words

cosìso
tantomuch
chethat
causacause
conseguenzaconsequence
studiareto study
parlareto speak
azioneaction
effettoeffect
enfatizzareto emphasize

Phrases

così tanto cheso much that
causacause
conseguenzaconsequence
enfatizzareemphasize
estensioneextent
risultatoresulting
azioneaction
effettoeffect
relazione di causa-effettocause-and-effect relationship
strutturastructure

Sentences

Ha piovuto così tanto che le strade sono allagate.

It rained so much that the streets are flooded.

Ha lavorato così tanto che ha bisogno di una vacanza.

He worked so much that he needs a vacation.

Abbiamo mangiato così tanto che non possiamo muoverci.

We ate so much that we can't move.

Giorgia rideva così tanto che le sono venute le lacrime agli occhi.

Giorgia laughed so much that tears came to her eyes.

Erano così stanchi che si sono addormentati subito.

They were so tired that they fell asleep immediately.

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Answers

FAQs

What is the meaning of "così tanto che"?

In English it can be translated as so much that.

How to use "così tanto che"?

We use this structure when we want to emphasize that something was done or happened to a very big extent and there are consequences.

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consegnare
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