When you're learning Italian, you'll find that many words have multiple meanings depending on the context. The word cara is a great example of this, and it's a common word you'll encounter at the A2 level. Primarily, it means dear, as in someone you care about, or literally expensive when referring to a cost.
You'll often hear it used as a term of endearment, like saying 'dear' to a loved one. However, if you're shopping, you might hear a shopkeeper say something is 'cara' to indicate it's pricey. Understanding these different uses is key to sounding more natural in Italian conversations.
§ Understanding 'Cara' (Adjective)
The Italian word 'cara' is an adjective that can mean both 'dear' and 'expensive.' Its meaning depends on the context. As an English speaker learning Italian, it's easy to get these two meanings mixed up. This section will help you avoid common pitfalls.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing 'dear' and 'expensive' in greetings
One of the most frequent mistakes is using 'cara' when you mean 'expensive' in a greeting, or vice versa. When you're addressing someone, 'cara' means 'dear' or 'darling.' It's a term of endearment. You wouldn't use it to describe the cost of something in this context.
- Wrong usage:
- "Cara, questa macchina è." (Implies the car is a 'dear' person, not expensive)
- Correct usage for 'dear':
- "Cara amica," (Dear friend)
Ciao cara, come stai? (Hi dear, how are you?)
§ Mistake 2: Incorrect placement when meaning 'expensive'
When 'cara' means 'expensive,' it usually comes after the noun it modifies. If it comes before the noun, it often implies 'dear' in the sense of 'beloved' or 'cherished.'
- Meaning 'dear/beloved':
- "La mia cara mamma." (My dear mother - a cherished mother)
Ho comprato una cara macchina. (I bought a beloved car.)
- Meaning 'expensive':
- "Ho comprato una macchina cara." (I bought an expensive car.)
Questa borsa è troppo cara. (This bag is too expensive.)
§ Mistake 3: Not using the correct gender and number
Like all Italian adjectives, 'cara' must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. This is a fundamental rule in Italian grammar, but it's easy to forget when you're focusing on meaning.
- Singular feminine: cara (e.g., una borsa cara - an expensive bag)
- Plural feminine: care (e.g., delle borse care - expensive bags)
- Singular masculine: caro (e.g., un regalo caro - an expensive gift)
- Plural masculine: cari (e.g., dei regali cari - expensive gifts)
- Wrong usage:
- "Questi scarpe sono caro." (Incorrect agreement: 'scarpe' is feminine plural, 'caro' is masculine singular)
- Correct usage:
- "Queste scarpe sono care." (These shoes are expensive.)
I miei amici sono tutti molto cari. (My friends are all very dear.)
§ Practice makes perfect
The best way to avoid these mistakes is through practice and exposure to Italian. Listen to how native speakers use 'cara' in different contexts. Pay attention to its position relative to the noun and its agreement. The more you immerse yourself, the more natural it will become.
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
La borsa che hai comprato è davvero cara, ma ne vale la pena per la sua qualità.
The bag you bought is really expensive, but it's worth it for its quality.
Ho trovato un'ottima offerta per un volo last minute, altrimenti sarebbe stata troppo cara.
I found a great last-minute flight deal, otherwise it would have been too expensive.
Quella macchina d'epoca è molto cara da mantenere, ma il suo valore sentimentale è inestimabile.
That vintage car is very expensive to maintain, but its sentimental value is inestimable.
Cara amica, ti scrivo per ringraziarti del tuo prezioso aiuto in un momento difficile.
Dear friend, I'm writing to thank you for your precious help in a difficult moment.
La mia cara nonna mi ha insegnato l'importanza della famiglia e delle tradizioni.
My dear grandmother taught me the importance of family and traditions.
Dopo anni di sacrifici, finalmente sono riuscito a comprare la casa dei miei sogni, anche se era piuttosto cara.
After years of sacrifices, I finally managed to buy my dream house, even though it was quite expensive.
Il ristorante in cui abbiamo cenato era un po' caro, ma il cibo era eccezionale.
The restaurant where we had dinner was a bit expensive, but the food was exceptional.
Ho ricevuto una lettera dalla mia cara cugina che vive all'estero, mi ha fatto molto piacere.
I received a letter from my dear cousin who lives abroad, it made me very happy.
अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है
This is the masculine singular form of 'cara.' 'Cara' is feminine singular. Both mean 'dear' or 'expensive.'
This is the masculine plural form of 'caro.' Used for multiple dear or expensive items/people.
This is the feminine plural form of 'cara.' Used for multiple dear or expensive items/people.
आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
It has many uses and can be translated in several ways depending on context.
Can mean 'so,' 'then,' 'well,' or 'in that case.' The specific meaning often comes from the flow of conversation.
Allora, andiamo? (So, shall we go?)
It can be a pronoun, an adverb of place, or part of a verbal construction.
As a pronoun, 'us/to us.' As an adverb, 'there/here.' With verbs like 'volerci' or 'metterci,' it's part of an idiomatic expression.
Ci vediamo dopo. (We'll see each other later. / See you later.)
Similar to 'ci,' it has multiple grammatical functions.
Can mean 'of it/them,' 'from there,' or 'some/any.' It often replaces a phrase introduced by 'di' or 'da.'
Quante mele vuoi? Ne voglio due. (How many apples do you want? I want two (of them).)
It's a verb that works differently from 'to like' in English.
Literally means 'to be pleasing to.' The subject of 'piacere' is the thing being liked, and the person who likes it is the indirect object.
Mi piace il caffè. (The coffee is pleasing to me. / I like coffee.)
It's a very common verb with a broad range of meanings, similar to 'to do' and 'to make' in English, but also used in many idiomatic expressions.
Can mean 'to do,' 'to make,' 'to cause,' 'to be' (in weather expressions), or 'to pretend.' Its meaning depends heavily on the context and what it's paired with.
Cosa fai? (What are you doing?)
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवाल'Caro' is the masculine singular form, used for masculine nouns or when addressing a male. For example, 'Caro amico' (Dear friend). 'Cara' is the feminine singular form, used for feminine nouns or when addressing a female. For example, 'Cara amica' (Dear friend).
Yes, absolutely! 'Cara' (and its masculine form 'caro') can mean expensive. For example, 'Questa macchina è cara' (This car is expensive).
The plural of 'cara' is 'care' for feminine nouns. For masculine nouns, it's 'cari'. For example, 'Care amiche' (Dear friends - feminine), 'Cari amici' (Dear friends - masculine).
It can be used in both contexts. When addressing someone, it's often informal (e.g., 'Cara mamma' - Dear Mom). When describing something as expensive, it's neutral in formality (e.g., 'Una cena cara' - An expensive dinner).
While 'cara' is very common, other words can express similar sentiments depending on the context. For endearment, you might hear 'tesoro' (treasure/honey) or 'amore' (love). But for a general 'dear' in a letter or address, 'cara/o' is standard.
You can add adverbs like 'molto' (very) before 'cara'. So, 'Molto cara' means 'very expensive.' For example, 'La borsa è molto cara' (The bag is very expensive).
The opposite of 'cara' (expensive) is 'economica' or 'a buon mercato' (cheap/economical). For example, 'Una macchina economica' (An economical car).
Yes, it can. Like in English, you might say 'Oh, how lovely' sarcastically, you could use 'cara' with a certain tone to imply something is NOT dear or not ideal. However, this relies heavily on context and tone of voice.
If the group is entirely female, use 'Care'. If the group is mixed (men and women), or entirely male, you use the masculine plural 'Cari'. For example, 'Cari studenti' (Dear students - could be mixed or all male).
While they sound similar and both relate to affection, the etymological connection isn't direct in the way you might think. 'Cara' comes from the Latin 'carus' (dear, precious). The English 'care' has Germanic roots. So, while they share semantic space, they aren't directly cognates from the same immediate origin.
खुद को परखो 36 सवाल
This sentence means 'The bag is expensive.' 'La' is the definite article, 'borsa' is the noun, 'è' is the verb 'to be', and 'cara' is the adjective.
This means 'I am writing to you, dear friend.' 'Ti scrivo' is 'I write to you', 'cara' is 'dear', and 'amica' is 'friend' (feminine).
This translates to 'This car is too expensive.' 'Questa' is 'this', 'macchina' is 'car', 'è' is 'is', 'troppo' is 'too', and 'cara' is 'expensive'.
Choose the correct translation for 'cara' when referring to a high price.
'Cara' can mean expensive, which is synonymous with dear in this context.
Which sentence uses 'cara' to express affection?
In 'Cara amica', 'cara' is used as a term of endearment, meaning 'dear'.
Which of these words is a synonym for 'cara' when it means expensive?
'Costosa' also means expensive in Italian.
If something is 'cara', it always means it's expensive.
'Cara' can also mean 'dear' in an affectionate sense, not just expensive.
When addressing a letter to a friend, you can start with 'Caro' or 'Cara'.
'Caro' (masculine) and 'Cara' (feminine) are common ways to start a letter to someone you care about, meaning 'Dear'.
The phrase 'una città cara' implies an affordable city.
'Una città cara' means an expensive city, not an affordable one.
The speaker bought something expensive.
The speaker is addressing a friend.
The speaker is talking about the price of a camera.
Read this aloud:
La cena al ristorante era buona ma davvero cara.
Focus: cara
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Come stai, cara?
Focus: cara
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Nonostante fosse cara, ho deciso di comprare quella giacca.
Focus: cara
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are writing a letter to a close friend. Use 'cara' to address them and describe something you bought recently that was expensive. Explain why it was worth the price.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Cara Giulia, spero che tu stia bene. Recentemente ho comprato un nuovo computer portatile ed è stato piuttosto caro, ma ne valeva la pena per la velocità e la qualità. Mi sta aiutando molto con il mio lavoro. Un abbraccio, [Your Name]
Describe a moment when someone's actions made them 'dear' to you, in the sense of being cherished or loved. Focus on the emotional aspect.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La mia nonna è una persona molto cara per me. Ricordo quando, da bambina, mi preparava sempre il mio piatto preferito quando ero triste. Quei momenti mi hanno dimostrato quanto mi volesse bene.
You are writing a review for a product that you found to be 'cara' but of exceptional quality. Explain your experience and whether you would recommend it despite the price.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ho acquistato questa macchina fotografica e devo ammettere che è stata piuttosto cara. Tuttavia, la qualità delle immagini e la sua durabilità sono eccezionali. La raccomanderei a chiunque cerchi un investimento a lungo termine, nonostante il prezzo elevato.
Cosa ha detto la zia riguardo ai costi in Patagonia?
Read this passage:
Ho ricevuto una lettera dalla mia cara zia, che vive in Argentina. Mi ha raccontato del suo viaggio in Patagonia e di come fosse rimasta affascinata dai paesaggi. Mi ha anche detto che la vita lì è un po' più cara rispetto a dove viveva prima, ma che la bellezza del luogo compensa i costi.
Cosa ha detto la zia riguardo ai costi in Patagonia?
Il testo dice 'la vita lì è un po' più cara rispetto a dove viveva prima', il che significa che i costi sono più alti.
Il testo dice 'la vita lì è un po' più cara rispetto a dove viveva prima', il che significa che i costi sono più alti.
Perché l'autore ha deciso di comprare la maschera nonostante il prezzo?
Read this passage:
Durante la mia ultima visita a Venezia, ho trovato un negozio che vendeva maschere tradizionali fatte a mano. Erano incredibilmente belle, ma anche molto care. Ho riflettuto a lungo prima di decidere di comprarne una, perché sapevo che sarebbe stata un ricordo prezioso di quel viaggio indimenticabile, nonostante il costo.
Perché l'autore ha deciso di comprare la maschera nonostante il prezzo?
Il testo afferma 'sapevo che sarebbe stata un ricordo prezioso di quel viaggio indimenticabile, nonostante il costo'.
Il testo afferma 'sapevo che sarebbe stata un ricordo prezioso di quel viaggio indimenticabile, nonostante il costo'.
Cosa ha avvertito la professoressa riguardo ad alcuni ingredienti autentici?
Read this passage:
La mia cara professoressa di italiano ci ha assegnato un progetto molto interessante. Dobbiamo scrivere un saggio sulla cultura gastronomica italiana. Sarà un compito impegnativo, ma sono sicuro che impareremo molto. Ci ha anche avvertito che alcuni ingredienti autentici possono essere un po' cari, ma ci ha incoraggiato a cercare alternative.
Cosa ha avvertito la professoressa riguardo ad alcuni ingredienti autentici?
Il testo indica 'ci ha anche avvertito che alcuni ingredienti autentici possono essere un po' cari'.
Il testo indica 'ci ha anche avvertito che alcuni ingredienti autentici possono essere un po' cari'.
Listen for 'cara' in the context of cost.
Listen for 'cara' in the context of something cherished.
Listen for 'cara' in relation to the price of an item.
Read this aloud:
La sua opinione è molto cara a tutti noi, la teniamo in grande considerazione.
Focus: cara
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Questa macchina è davvero cara, ma le prestazioni giustificano il prezzo elevato.
Focus: cara
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Mia cara amica, ti scrivo per ringraziarti del tuo prezioso aiuto.
Focus: cara
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'Life is expensive in this city.' It uses 'cara' in the sense of 'expensive.'
This sentence translates to 'My dear friend, I am writing you this letter.' Here, 'cara' is used as 'dear.'
This means 'Their affection is very dear to me.' 'Caro' (masculine form of 'cara') is used here to mean 'dear.'
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
संबंधित सामग्री
संदर्भ में सीखें
संबंधित मुहावरे
general के और शब्द
abbagliare
C1To dazzle or blind with light or beauty
abbaglio
C1A serious mistake or misconception.
abbreviare
B1To make something shorter.
abnegazione
C1Self-sacrifice or renunciation of one's own interests
accadere
B1To happen or occur.
accadimento
B2An event, occurrence, or happening.
accaduto
B1What happened or the event that occurred.
accanito
C1Fierce, persistent, or relentless in pursuit
accantonare
C1To put aside for future use or discard.
accattivante
C1witty, charming, or attractive.
