A2 adjective 非正式 3分钟阅读

cara

/ˈka.ra/
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Overview

The Italian word 'cara' is a versatile term with primary meanings revolving around 'dear' and 'expensive.' Its specific nuance depends heavily on context, gender, and number. It is the feminine singular form of the adjective 'caro.'

1. 'Dear' (Affectionate):

When used to mean 'dear,' 'cara' expresses affection, endearment, or a close relationship. It can be applied to people, objects, or even abstract concepts that are highly valued or cherished. Some common applications include:

  • Addressing someone: 'Cara Maria,' meaning 'Dear Maria,' is a very common and polite way to address a woman, similar to 'my dear' or 'sweetheart' in English. It can be used formally or informally depending on the relationship.
  • Describing a person: 'La mia cara amica' translates to 'my dear friend,' indicating a close and valued friendship.
  • Expressing fondness for things: One might say 'La mia cara vecchia macchina,' meaning 'my dear old car,' to convey sentimental attachment to an item, even if it's not financially valuable.
  • In letters or emails: It's a standard opening for correspondence: 'Cara mamma,' 'Dear Mom.'
  • As an exclamation: 'Oh, cara!' can be an exclamation of surprise, sympathy, or endearment.

2. 'Expensive' (Costly):

In this sense, 'cara' indicates a high price or cost. It is used to describe goods, services, or situations that require a significant financial outlay. Examples include:

  • Describing an item: 'Questa borsa è molto cara,' meaning 'This bag is very expensive.'
  • Referring to a place or lifestyle: 'Vivere a Roma è caro,' though 'cara' would be used if referring to a feminine noun like 'la vita' (life): 'La vita a Roma è cara' (Life in Rome is expensive).
  • Comparing prices: 'Quel ristorante è più caro dell'altro,' meaning 'That restaurant is more expensive than the other one.' (Here 'caro' is masculine, matching 'ristorante').

**Grammatical Considerations:**

As an adjective, 'cara' must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies:

  • Masculine Singular: caro (e.g., un caro amico - a dear friend, un libro caro - an expensive book)
  • Feminine Singular: cara (e.g., una cara amica - a dear friend, una macchina cara - an expensive car)
  • Masculine Plural: cari (e.g., cari amici - dear friends, prezzi cari - expensive prices)
  • Feminine Plural: care (e.g., care amiche - dear friends, cose care - expensive things)

**Context is Key:**

The most crucial aspect of understanding 'cara' is context. The surrounding words and the situation will always clarify whether the speaker intends to convey affection or cost. For instance, if you hear someone say 'Ho comprato una macchina cara,' the presence of 'comprato' (bought) strongly suggests the 'expensive' meaning. If someone says 'Sei una cara persona,' the context of describing a person points to the 'dear' meaning.

In summary, 'cara' is a fundamental Italian adjective with dual meanings of 'dear' (affectionate) and 'expensive' (costly), and its correct interpretation relies entirely on grammatical agreement and situational context.

例句

1

Sei la mia cara amica.

When expressing affection.

You are my dear friend.

2

Questa borsa è troppo cara.

Referring to the cost of something.

This bag is too expensive.

3

Mia cara, come stai?

As a term of endearment, often at the beginning of a letter or conversation.

My dear, how are you?

4

La vita è diventata molto cara ultimamente.

Referring to the cost of living.

Life has become very expensive lately.

5

Ti auguro una cara giornata.

Less common, but can express a wish for a pleasant day.

I wish you a dear day.

容易混淆的词

cara vs caro

Caro is the masculine singular form, while cara is the feminine singular form. They both mean 'dear' or 'expensive'.

cara vs cari

Cari is the masculine plural form, while cara is the feminine singular form. They both mean 'dear' or 'expensive'.

cara vs care

Care is the feminine plural form, while cara is the feminine singular form. They both mean 'dear' or 'expensive'.

语法模式

Cara is an adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Cara can be used as a term of endearment, often directly addressing someone. Cara can also mean 'expensive' when referring to a feminine noun.

如何使用

使用说明

When using 'cara' to mean 'dear,' it functions as an adjective agreeing in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, 'cara amica' means 'dear friend' (female). It can also be used as a standalone interjection, like 'Oh, cara!' (Oh, dear!). When used to mean 'expensive,' it similarly agrees with the noun: 'una macchina cara' (an expensive car). The masculine singular form is 'caro,' and the plurals are 'cari' (masculine) and 'care' (feminine). The context is crucial for distinguishing between the two meanings. If someone says 'Questa borsa è cara,' they mean 'This bag is expensive,' referring to its price. If someone greets you with 'Ciao, cara!', they are using it as a term of endearment, meaning 'Hello, dear!' The intonation and the surrounding words will usually make the intended meaning clear. It's important to be aware of this dual meaning to avoid misunderstandings, especially in conversational Italian.

常见错误

One common mistake is confusing 'cara' (feminine singular) with 'caro' (masculine singular), 'cari' (masculine plural), or 'care' (feminine plural). Remember to match the ending to the gender and number of the noun it modifies. For example, 'cara amica' (dear friend, female), 'caro amico' (dear friend, male), 'costa cara' (it costs a lot, referring to a feminine noun), 'costa caro' (it costs a lot, referring to a masculine noun). Another mistake can be using 'cara' exclusively for 'expensive' when 'costoso/a' is often a more direct translation for costliness, reserving 'cara' for more nuanced situations or when referring to something dear that happens to be expensive.

小贴士

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Usage of 'Cara'

'Cara' is a versatile Italian word that primarily means 'dear' or 'expensive,' depending on the context. As an adjective, it changes its ending to agree with the gender and number of the noun it modifies. For example, 'caro' for masculine singular, 'cara' for feminine singular, 'cari' for masculine plural, and 'care' for feminine plural.

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Common Phrases

Here are some common phrases using 'cara': - 'Cara mamma': Dear mom (affectionate) - 'Che vita cara!': What an expensive life! - 'Acqua cara': Expensive water (can refer to bottled water prices) - 'Mi sei cara': You are dear to me (expressing affection to a female) - 'Il tempo è denaro e il denaro è caro': Time is money and money is expensive (proverbial)

词源

From Latin 'cārus' (dear, beloved, expensive), from Proto-Italic '*kāros', from Proto-Indo-European '*keh₂-ro-' (dear, desired). Cognates include Old Irish 'cara' (friend), Sanskrit 'kā́ma' (love, desire), and ultimately English 'whore' (via Germanic and a semantic shift). In Italian, 'cara' is the feminine singular form of 'caro'. The dual meaning of 'dear' (beloved) and 'expensive' has been present since Latin.

文化背景

In Italian, 'cara' is a versatile adjective that translates to 'dear' or 'expensive,' but its usage extends beyond simple translation. It carries significant cultural weight, often used as a term of endearment. When addressing a woman, 'cara' (feminine singular) or 'care' (feminine plural) is common, similar to 'dear' in English. It can be used affectionately among family, friends, or even as a polite, albeit slightly formal, way to address someone. However, its use as a term of endearment is more prevalent in personal relationships. In a commercial context, 'caro' (masculine singular) or 'cara' refers to something being expensive. This duality reflects the Italian emphasis on personal connection and the value placed on both relationships and goods. The choice between using 'cara' as an endearment or to denote cost depends entirely on the context and tone of the conversation.

记忆技巧

Cara, like 'care' in English, implies affection or high cost. Think of 'caring' for someone dear, or a 'carat' of diamonds being expensive.

常见问题

4 个问题

'Cara' is a versatile Italian word that primarily means 'dear' or 'expensive.' When used to mean 'dear,' it functions as an adjective and is the feminine singular form of 'caro.' It can be used to affectionately address a female, such as 'cara amica' (dear friend), or to describe something that is cherished or beloved. When 'cara' means 'expensive,' it also functions as an adjective and refers to a high cost or price, for example, 'una macchina cara' (an expensive car). The specific meaning is usually determined by the context in which it's used, often indicated by surrounding words or the tone of voice.

Yes, 'cara' can indeed be used as a noun in Italian, though less frequently than as an adjective. When used as a noun, it typically refers to a 'dear one' or a 'loved one,' specifically a female. For example, one might say 'la mia cara' to refer to 'my dear' or 'my darling.' This usage highlights the affectionate and endearing quality of the word. It carries a strong emotional connotation, similar to how we might use terms like 'sweetheart' or 'honey' in English. This noun form is generally reserved for very close personal relationships.

The usage of 'cara' is largely parallel to its masculine counterpart, 'caro,' with the main difference being gender agreement. Both 'caro' and 'cara' can mean 'dear' or 'expensive.' 'Caro' is used for masculine singular nouns or individuals, such as 'caro amico' (dear friend) or 'un orologio caro' (an expensive watch). 'Cara' is exclusively used for feminine singular nouns or individuals. The underlying meanings and their application in expressing affection or cost remain the same; the choice between 'caro' and 'cara' is purely grammatical, depending on the gender of the noun or person being described or addressed.

Yes, there are several common idioms and expressions that incorporate 'cara.' One notable phrase is 'a cara prezzo,' which translates to 'at a high price' or 'dearly.' This expression is often used to convey that something was obtained with great difficulty or cost, not necessarily monetary, but perhaps involving sacrifice or suffering. For instance, 'Ha pagato a cara prezzo la sua scelta' means 'She paid dearly for her choice.' Another common use is simply as a term of endearment in salutations, like 'Cara Maria,' which translates to 'Dear Maria' at the beginning of a letter or email, emphasizing affection.

自我测试

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Mia nonna è una persona molto ____.

正确！ 不太对。 正确答案：
fill blank

Questa borsa è troppo ____ per me.

正确！ 不太对。 正确答案：
fill blank

Vorrei una bottiglia d'acqua, per favore. Quanto costa? È molto ____?

正确！ 不太对。 正确答案：

得分： /3

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