Learn to use the common Italian words 'cioè' and 'ciò'

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In Italy we like the word cioè so much that we even have magazine called that! Now.. not my choice of reading this is a teenager magazine so you have all the news on gossip and teen drama and honestly I’m too old for this… but if you are not then I suggest you get yourself a copy and read a bit of Italian! 

Download the lesson in PDF format here!

The word CIOE’ is an Italian favorite! It’s a word that we tend to throw in during a conversion very similarly to the use of “like” in English.

Cioè can have different translations depending on the context in which it is used but I would say that you will use cioè to give extra information about something that you have already talked about.

“cioè” can translate to “ like what” meaning what? / for example.

You can use cioè as a single question word and you can pop a question mark after it and use intonation to say cioè? (like what? what do you mean?) 

Let’s look at some examples of when you use it to ask for further information about something: 

• sono tornata a casa molto tardi ieri sera – (I came home very late yesterday!)
• cioè? – like at what time? 
• cioè alle 11 di sera – like at 11 pm

Cioè is sometimes a linking word that can be used to with the meaning of: I mean. In this case it’s not a question and you use it inside sentences.

You can use it in a statement to specify, correct or rephrase something that was previously said

• Sono arrivata tre giorni fa, cioè mercoledì- I arrived three days ago, I mean on Wednesday)
• Sono veramente stanca, cioè stanca morta – I’m tired, I mean, dead tired! 
• Ci vediamo domani…cioè dopo, scusa mi sono confusa – I’ll see you tomorrow..I mean later, sorry I got confused 
• L’esame è stato difficilissimo! cioè 10 pagine di esercizi! - The exam was really difficult, I mean 10 pages of exercises!

Cioè is often confused with the pronoun ciò.

The first thing that you need to master here is the pronunciation

cioè - repeat it with me by listening to how I say it in the video: cioè cioè cioè and ciò, ciò, ciò ciò

Ciò is a pronoun, as a pronoun its function is to replace something that has already been mentioned in the conversation. Remember that you will use pronouns not to repeat yourself. Often it can be used instead of quello che (what).

Quello che (is more informal) and ciò che (is more formal) these expressions are interchangeable, so they both have the same meaning which translates to “that thing”, Don’t go crazy on formal or informal, in this case I suggest to pick the one you prefer and use it.

To help you out I have written some sentences for you and I suggest that you write your own in the comments below!

Examples:

• Ciò che / quello che mi fa arrabbiare è che è sempre in ritardo! – What drives me crazy is that he is always late!
• Ciò che / quello che ti ho detto deve rimanere un segreto! - What I told you must be kept a secret
• Questo è ciò che / quello che succede se non mi ascolti! – This is what happens if you don’t listen to me
• Ciò che / quello che voglio farti capire è... – What I want to get you to understand is..

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