Adverbs ending in -mente in Italian

1. 1
   finalmente/finalˈmente/

   finallyadverb

   After a long wait.
2. 2
   purtroppo/purˈtrɔppo/

   unfortunatelyadverb

   Used when something is a pity.
3. 3
   sicuramente/sikuraˈmente/

   surelyadverb

   Without any doubt.
4. 4
   probabilmente/probabilˈmente/

   probablyadverb

   With a good chance.
5. 5
   veramente/veraˈmente/

   reallyadverb

   Seriously.
6. 6
   attentamente/attentaˈmente/

   carefullyadverb

   With a lot of attention.
7. 7
   difficilmente/diffitʃilˈmente/

   hardlyadverb

   With little chance.
8. 8
   perfettamente/perfettaˈmente/

   perfectlyadverb

   Without the slightest flaw.
9. 9
   velocemente/velotʃeˈmente/

   quicklyadverb

   In a hurry.
10. 10
    ovviamente/ovvjaˈmente/

    obviouslyadverb

    As one would expect.

The sentences

1. Finalmente ho trovato un lavoro che mi piace.

   I've finally found a job I like.

2. Purtroppo il mio ufficio è lontano da casa.

   Unfortunately my office is far from home.

3. Il mio capo è sicuramente una persona molto gentile.

   My boss is definitely a very kind person.

4. Probabilmente il mese prossimo avrò un aumento.

   I'll probably get a raise next month.

5. I miei colleghi sono veramente simpatici, sai?

   My coworkers are really nice, you know?

6. Ho letto attentamente il contratto prima di firmarlo.

   I read the contract carefully before signing it.

7. Difficilmente riesco a uscire prima delle sette.

   I can hardly ever leave before seven.

8. Per ora il nuovo orario mi va perfettamente.

   For now the new schedule suits me perfectly.

9. La prima settimana è passata velocemente, non trovi?

   The first week went by quickly, didn't it?

10. Ovviamente il primo giorno non conoscevo nessuno.

    Obviously I didn't know anyone on the first day.

Pronunciation

• purtroppo/purˈtrɔppo/

  Hold the double p long before the final o.

• attentamente/attentaˈmente/

  Hold the double t in att long, as in gatto.

• difficilmente/diffitʃilˈmente/

  Hold the double f long, as in caffè.

• perfettamente/perfettaˈmente/

  Hold the double t long, as in fetta.

Good to know

aperitivo

At a bar, especially toward evening, many people order a drink with something to eat. Often they stay to chat with friends.

caffè al banco

Coffee is often drunk standing at the counter and costs less than sitting at a table. In many bars you pay first at the register and take the receipt to the counter.

scontrino

In Italy the bar has to give you a receipt after you pay. Usually you show it to the barista when you order.

tu e Lei

With friends and colleagues your own age, people usually use tu. With strangers and people you don't know yet, Lei is often used.

Questions

How do you say "finally" in Italian?

Say finalmente, as in "Finalmente ho trovato un lavoro che mi piace." It means after a long wait.

What do you say in Italian for "unfortunately"?

Say purtroppo, which means "by bad luck". Hold the double p long before the final o.

What is the difference between difficilmente and velocemente?

Difficilmente means with little chance, while velocemente means quickly. Both end in -mente, but they describe different things.