What does se in Italian mean?

What is the meaning of the word se in Italian? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use se in Italian.

The word se in Italian means if, when, since, given that, if, whether, as though, ifs, if, himself, himself, herself, independent, apart, separate, on its own, leave to their own devices, left to your own devices, though, even if only little, even if not compulsory, as soon as possible, take it upon itself, take upon oneself, stand alone, to be self-sufficient, a whole other story, Damn it, to hell with it, Whatever people may say, No one to blame but oneself, He who makes his bed must lie in it, If you want something done, do it yourself, Those who make themselves sheep, will be eaten by the wolf, who cares, as if, As if that were not enough, as if it were raining, act like nothing happened, self awareness, Correct me if I'm wrong!, give your best, do your best, in itself, who cares, be out of your mind, be sane, be full of yourself, be yourself, be full of yourself, to do on your own, to take justice in one's hands, show off, do on your own, leave one's adversaries in the dust, swivel around, spin around, self-confidence, as if ..., end in itself, for its own sake, just for the sake of something, in and of itself, invest in yourself, left alone, to fight against oneself, don't even mention it, you're very welcome, better still if, put one's all into , put your heart and soul into, plenty of fish in the sea, no one is indispensable, not even if, any publicity is good publicity, wouldn't it have been better if, it's not important if, it doesn't matter if, no longer be responsible for your actions, not know if you have explained yourself, there's no way out, it's not going to happen, it's off, nothing happened, nothing was done, we're not even going to discuss it!, don't even talk about it, out of the question! impossible!, we're not even going to talk about it!, I/we couldn't take it any longer, not be able to do without, to talk to yourself, to think about oneself, for himself, for herself, because otherwise, otherwise, full of himself, take with, self-aware, she's a snob, she's full of herself, withdrawn, fold over itself, come to your senses, regain consciousness, unless, it will be a lot if, And that's not a small thing!, Be in the same boat, God willing, Is it worth, weather permitting..., He/she left that out, He/she avoided saying, he/she had a nasty moment, he/she had a bad time of it, He marches to his own drum, they gave each other a good hiding, they're giving each other a thrashing, if I could, if you would allow me to, If I may, they don't make them like that anymore, they would have seen some interesting events, they would have seen some interesting things, if necessary, if () doesn't, if nothing else, it's six of one and half a dozen of the other, if I'm not mistaken, if it didn't exist you would have to invent it, if I'm not mistaken, if only you knew, time will tell. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word se

if

congiunzione (nel caso in cui, posto che)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Se verrete alla festa, vi divertirete di sicuro.

If you come to the party, you'll definitely have fun.

when

congiunzione (ogni volta che, quando)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Se prendo il caffè dopo cena, faccio fatica ad addormentarmi.

When I drink coffee after dinner I have a hard time falling asleep.

since, given that

congiunzione (dato che, dal momento che)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Se il motore è rotto, è inutile che provi ad accendere l'auto.

Trying to start the car is useless given that the engine is broken.

if

congiunzione (quand'anche, neppure)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Non lo farei neanche se mi pagassero.

I wouldn't do it even if they paid me.

whether

congiunzione (in frasi dubitative)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Mi domando se tu stia facendo la cosa giusta.

I wonder whether you're doing the right thing.

as though

congiunzione (in proposizioni comparative ipotetiche)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Si comporta come se niente fosse.

He acts as though nothing happened.

ifs

sostantivo plurale maschile (incertezze, dubbi)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

Con tutti questi se non prenderemo mai una decisione.

With all these ifs, we'll never make a decision.

if

sostantivo maschile (condizione, limitazione)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Andrà tutto bene se Marco farà quello che deve, ma è un "se" grosso come una casa.

It will all go well if Marco does what he should, but that's an "if" as big as a house.

himself

pronome (variante del pronome si)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Se ne mangiò un altro piatto.

He ate himself another dish.

himself, herself

pronome (forma del pron. rifl. di terza persona)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")

Pensa più a sé che agli altri.

He thinks more about himself than others.

independent, apart, separate

(distinto)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Quello è un professore a sé stante che nessuno si permette di giudicare.

That one is a professor apart, who no one dares judge.

on its own

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

leave to their own devices

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

left to your own devices

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

though

congiunzione (nonostante)

even if only little

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

even if not compulsory

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

as soon as possible

(appena possibile)

Chiamami appena ne hai la possibilità.

Call me as soon as possible.

take it upon itself, take upon oneself

stand alone

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

to be self-sufficient

a whole other story

(a unique case or situation)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

I like a well-organized house, but my husband is a whole other story.

Damn it, to hell with it

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Whatever people may say

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Whatever people may say about him, he seems to know what he's doing.

No one to blame but oneself, He who makes his bed must lie in it

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

If you want something done, do it yourself

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Those who make themselves sheep, will be eaten by the wolf

(If you're meek, you will get stepped on.)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

who cares

as if

congiunzione (nello stesso modo)

As if that were not enough

locuzione avverbiale (ad ulteriore danno)

as if it were raining

(literal)

act like nothing happened

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

self awareness

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Correct me if I'm wrong!

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

give your best, do your best

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (impegnarsi al massimo)

in itself

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Non ho nulla contro la matematica di per sé stessa: è che non la capisco.

I have nothing against mathematics in itself: it's just that I don't understand it.

who cares

be out of your mind

be sane

be full of yourself

be yourself

be full of yourself

to do on your own

to take justice in one's hands

show off

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

do on your own

leave one's adversaries in the dust

swivel around, spin around

self-confidence

as if ...

It's hard to imagine that he would call, knowing him.

end in itself, for its own sake, just for the sake of something

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Non mi piacciono i ragionamenti fini a sé stessi, ma quelli che hanno uno scopo.

I don't like reasoning just for the sake of it, but reasoning that has a purpose.

in and of itself

invest in yourself

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

left alone

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Un bambino lasciato a sé stesso non può crescere bene.

to fight against oneself

don't even mention it, you're very welcome

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

better still if

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

put one's all into , put your heart and soul into

plenty of fish in the sea, no one is indispensable

not even if

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Neanche se mi pagassero il doppio di quanto prendo adesso lavorerei per loro.

any publicity is good publicity

wouldn't it have been better if

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it's not important if, it doesn't matter if

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

no longer be responsible for your actions

not know if you have explained yourself

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

there's no way out

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it's not going to happen, it's off

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

nothing happened, nothing was done

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

we're not even going to discuss it!

(literally)

don't even talk about it

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Vorresti che mi travestissi da pantera rosa? Ma non se ne parla proprio.

out of the question! impossible!

(con enfasi (impossibile, fuori discussione)

we're not even going to talk about it!

(literally)

I/we couldn't take it any longer

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

not be able to do without

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

to talk to yourself

to think about oneself

for himself, for herself

locuzione avverbiale (per la propria persona)

because otherwise, otherwise

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

full of himself

take with

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (avere addosso, appresso)

She took her dog with her.

self-aware

she's a snob, she's full of herself

withdrawn

locuzione aggettivale (timido, introverso)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

fold over itself

come to your senses

regain consciousness

(person, state of mind, also medicine)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

unless

it will be a lot if

It will be a lot if he even shows up

And that's not a small thing!

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Be in the same boat

(idiom)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

God willing

Is it worth

weather permitting...

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

He/she left that out, He/she avoided saying

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

he/she had a nasty moment, he/she had a bad time of it

(experience, emotion)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

He marches to his own drum

they gave each other a good hiding

(colloquial)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

they're giving each other a thrashing

(colloquial)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

if I could, if you would allow me to, If I may

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

they don't make them like that anymore

they would have seen some interesting events, they would have seen some interesting things

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

if necessary

if () doesn't

if nothing else

it's six of one and half a dozen of the other

(idiom)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

He calls it ketchup but I call it tomato sauce – but it's six of one and half a dozen of the other

if I'm not mistaken

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

if it didn't exist you would have to invent it

(litteral)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

if I'm not mistaken

if only you knew

time will tell

(love)

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