Meaning
Excluding what was just mentioned.
Cultural Background
In the North, people tend to be more direct. 'A parte ciò' is often used to get straight to the point in business meetings. In the South, conversation is often more flowery. 'A parte ciò' might be preceded by a longer explanation. It is a staple in professional emails to maintain a polite but firm tone. Used in comments to pivot from a critique to a compliment.
Use it as a bridge
Think of this phrase as a bridge between two islands of conversation.
Don't over-use
Using it too much can make you sound like you are constantly dismissing the other person's points.
Meaning
Excluding what was just mentioned.
Use it as a bridge
Think of this phrase as a bridge between two islands of conversation.
Don't over-use
Using it too much can make you sound like you are constantly dismissing the other person's points.
Combine with 'ma'
Pairing it with 'ma' (but) is the most natural way to use it.
Be polite
Italians appreciate the structure this phrase provides.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
Il cibo era freddo, ________, era buono.
The sentence contrasts a negative with a positive, requiring a transition phrase.
Choose the most natural sounding sentence.
Which sentence is correct?
The phrase does not use 'di'.
Match the situation to the best response.
Match the following:
All these situations can be followed by 'a parte ciò' to introduce a positive note.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Il film era lungo. B: ________, mi è piaciuto.
The speaker is acknowledging a negative and then adding a positive.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIl cibo era freddo, ________, era buono.
The sentence contrasts a negative with a positive, requiring a transition phrase.
Which sentence is correct?
The phrase does not use 'di'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
All these situations can be followed by 'a parte ciò' to introduce a positive note.
A: Il film era lungo. B: ________, mi è piaciuto.
The speaker is acknowledging a negative and then adding a positive.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. It works in almost any context.
Yes, but it is more common at the beginning.
No, 'inoltre' adds information, while 'a parte ciò' pivots away from it.
Yes, it is a discourse marker and should be followed by a comma.
Absolutely, it's very common in texting.
It is also correct, but 'ciò' is slightly more standard.
No, it is an invariable expression.
Yes, it is standard Italian.
No, it requires a previous topic to refer back to.
No, it is standard, polite Italian.
Related Phrases
Oltre a ciò
synonymIn addition to that
A parte questo
similarAside from this
Detto questo
similarHaving said that
Tuttavia
contrastHowever
Comunque
similarAnyway
