Signification
Accidentally.
Contexte culturel
The 'Passeggiata' culture relies on 'per caso'. Meeting people by chance while walking is a primary social engine in small towns. Even in business, 'per caso' is used to soften follow-ups. It makes a reminder feel less like a pressure tactic. There is a stronger sense of 'destiny' (il destino). 'Per caso' often carries a weight of 'it was meant to be'. On social media, 'trovato per caso' is a common hashtag for aesthetic photos of places or objects discovered while exploring.
The Politeness Hack
Whenever you ask a stranger for something, insert 'per caso'. It instantly makes you sound more like a native speaker and less like a tourist.
The 'A' vs 'Per' Trap
Remember: 'A caso' = Random. 'Per caso' = Accident. If you say 'Ti amo a caso', it means 'I love you randomly/without reason' (not very romantic!).
Signification
Accidentally.
The Politeness Hack
Whenever you ask a stranger for something, insert 'per caso'. It instantly makes you sound more like a native speaker and less like a tourist.
The 'A' vs 'Per' Trap
Remember: 'A caso' = Random. 'Per caso' = Accident. If you say 'Ti amo a caso', it means 'I love you randomly/without reason' (not very romantic!).
Body Language
When saying 'è successo per caso', Italians often shrug their shoulders and open their palms to emphasize the lack of control over the event.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.
Ho incontrato Maria ______ al mercato.
We use 'per caso' for accidental meetings.
Fill in the blank to make the question more polite.
Avete ______ un caricabatterie?
Adding 'per caso' makes the request for a charger less direct.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are picking a random card from a deck.
Random actions without external 'fate' use 'a caso'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Come hai trovato questo ristorante? B: ______.
Finding a place without planning is 'per caso'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Per Caso vs. A Caso
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHo incontrato Maria ______ al mercato.
We use 'per caso' for accidental meetings.
Avete ______ un caricabatterie?
Adding 'per caso' makes the request for a charger less direct.
You are picking a random card from a deck.
Random actions without external 'fate' use 'a caso'.
A: Come hai trovato questo ristorante? B: ______.
Finding a place without planning is 'per caso'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can! 'Per caso, hai visto le mie chiavi?' is perfectly fine and common.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend.
'Per caso' is much more common in speech. 'Accidentalmente' sounds more like a police report or a scientific paper.
No, it is an adverbial phrase, so it never changes. It's always 'per caso'.
Not really. Use 'per puro caso' or 'del tutto per caso' to mean 'very much by chance'.
Yes, very often. 'Ci sei per caso stasera?' is a standard text.
In questions, it can function like 'maybe', but 'forse' is the direct word for 'maybe'.
Yes. 'Ho rotto il bicchiere per caso' (I broke the glass by accident).
You say 'non per caso'. 'Non è per caso che sono qui' (It's not by chance that I'm here).
In very informal speech, some might just say 'mica', which carries a similar 'by any chance' vibe in questions.
Expressions liées
a caso
contrastAt random
in caso di
similarIn case of
per combinazione
synonymBy coincidence
magari
similarMaybe / I wish
accidentalmente
synonymAccidentally
