Have you ever come across the Italian expression eppure? It’s one of those small but powerful words that can instantly make your Italian sound more natural and expressive.
What does eppure mean in Italian?
In English, eppure can be translated as “and yet,” “but still,” “however,” or “nevertheless.” It is often used in spoken Italian to highlight a contrast between two ideas.
👉 Think of it as the word you use when something seems surprising or contradictory.
How to use eppure in everyday Italian expressions
1. To express a strong contrast
- È molto intelligente, eppure non studia mai.
He’s very smart, and yet he never studies. - Era stanchissima, eppure è uscita con gli amici.
She was exhausted, and yet she went out with her friends.
2. At the beginning of a sentence
Sometimes Italians use eppure at the start of a thought, almost like saying “Still…” or “And yet…”
Eppure, sapevo che avevi ragione.
And yet, I knew you were right.
3. A famous quote: “Eppur si muove!”
Perhaps the most iconic use of eppure is attributed to Galileo Galilei. According to tradition, when forced by the Inquisition to deny that the Earth revolves around the Sun, he whispered defiantly:
“Eppur si muove!” — “And yet it moves!”
This legendary phrase, whether historically accurate or not, perfectly captures the spirit of eppure: a quiet but powerful resistance to contradiction.
Eppure in Italian culture and expressions
The word often appears in Italian cinema, literature, and even music. For example, in dramatic dialogues you might hear characters say “Eppure ti amo” (And yet, I love you) to underline a conflict between emotions and logic.
🎬 A scene from Italian cinema
In Roberto Benigni’s La vita è bella, Guido keeps smiling and protecting his son even in the darkest moments.
Eppure, despite everything, he continues to believe in the beauty of life.
This captures perfectly how the word conveys resilience against all odds.
Learn Italian expressions with Il Centro
At Il Centro – Italian School for Foreigners in Milan, we believe that learning Italian means going beyond textbooks. Words like eppure are best understood when you hear them in real conversations, films, and songs.
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