1. Then in a Temporal Sense
One of the most straightforward meanings of allora is then, used in a temporal sense to refer to a specific time in the past or future.
- Ero a casa allora. – I was at home then.
- Era il 1990. Allora vivevo ancora in Italia. – It was 1990. Back then, I was still living in Italy.
In these cases, allora helps to establish a sequence of events, indicating when something happened or will happen in relation to another event.
2. So or Well to Indicate a Conclusion or Transition
Allora is frequently used to introduce a conclusion, to transition between thoughts, or to prompt someone to act or respond. In this sense, it can be translated as so, well, or then.
- Allora, che facciamo? – So, what are we doing?
- Hai finito il lavoro? Allora, mandalo via. – Have you finished the work? Well, send it off then.
Here, allora functions as a discourse marker, helping to move the conversation along or signal that a decision or conclusion is being reached.
3. At that Time or Back Then
When discussing past events, allora can mean at that time or back then. It’s often used to reference a specific moment in history or a particular time in the past.
- Allora non c’erano i telefoni cellulari. – Back then, there were no mobile phones.
- Allora lavoravo in una piccola azienda. – At that time, I worked in a small company.
In this context, allora helps situate the listener in a particular time frame, making it clear when the speaker is referring to.
4. In that Case or Therefore
Allora can also be used to imply a logical consequence or result, similar to in that case or therefore in English.
- Se non vuoi venire, allora resto a casa anch’io. – If you don’t want to come, then I’ll stay home too.
- Non hai studiato, allora non puoi aspettarti di passare l’esame. – You didn’t study, so you can’t expect to pass the exam.
This use of allora indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, making it clear that one thing leads to another.
5. Filler Word for Hesitation or Emphasis
Sometimes, allora is used as a filler word in conversation, similar to how English speakers might use well or so when they are pausing to think or emphasizing a point.
- Allora… non so cosa dire. – Well… I don’t know what to say.
- Allora, vediamo un po’… – So, let’s see…
In this context, allora doesn’t add any specific meaning but serves to give the speaker a moment to gather their thoughts or to draw attention to what they are about to say.
6. As Part of Idiomatic Expressions
Allora also appears in various idiomatic expressions and phrases, often carrying meanings that are less literal and more context-dependent.
- Fino ad allora – Until then
- Da allora, non ho più smesso di studiare italiano. – Since then, I haven’t stopped studying Italian.
In summary, allora is a multifaceted word in Italian that can mean then, so, well, at that time, in that case, and more, depending on the context. Its flexibility makes it an essential part of everyday Italian conversation, and mastering its use can greatly improve both your understanding of Italian and your ability to communicate fluently. Whether you’re linking events in time, drawing conclusions, or simply buying a moment to think, allora is a key word that you’ll encounter frequently in Italian speech.