Italian expression of the day: 'Non c’entra'
What has this phrase got to do with anything? Let us explain.
You may not have heard of it, but entrarci is a very useful Italian word.
This word is made using the verb entrare (to enter) plus the reflexive pronoun ci and it literally means “to go in there”.
It's pronounced 'ent-rar-chee' with a slight stress on the second syllable (hear it here.)
You can use it literally:
- Mi ha detto che non devo entrarci
- He told me I don't need to go in there.
But figuratively it can also mean “to get involved”, much as we might say in English: "you don't want to go there".
- non voglio entrarci in questa faccenda
- I don't want to get involved in this business
The form c'entra means the same: being involved or dealing with someone or something. But it's more useful in the negative: non c'entra
This means "that doesn't come into it", “that has nothing to do with it,” or perhaps, “this has nothing to do with you”.
In other words: "mind your own business".
It’s also used as a question:
- Che c’entra?
- What's that got to do with it?
or
- Che c’entri?
- what’s it to you?
It's a thought many of us have had when dealing with gossiping neighbours or over-involved family members. Although whether you want to actually say it out loud to them or not is another question.
And if you disagree with something you simply counter with:
- c’entra!
- It does so!
Or personalise it as:
- c’entro!
- It certainly does concern me!
If you want to name the irrelevant thing, you can usually put the noun after c'entra. If the noun is plural, use c'entrano.
- È troppo caro.
- Che c’entrano I soldi? Pago io!
- It’s too expensive.
- Forget money. I’m paying!
Do you have an Italian word you'd like us to feature? If so, please email us with your suggestion.
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You may not have heard of it, but entrarci is a very useful Italian word.
This word is made using the verb entrare (to enter) plus the reflexive pronoun ci and it literally means “to go in there”.
It's pronounced 'ent-rar-chee' with a slight stress on the second syllable (hear it here.)
You can use it literally:
- Mi ha detto che non devo entrarci
- He told me I don't need to go in there.
But figuratively it can also mean “to get involved”, much as we might say in English: "you don't want to go there".
- non voglio entrarci in questa faccenda
- I don't want to get involved in this business
The form c'entra means the same: being involved or dealing with someone or something. But it's more useful in the negative: non c'entra
This means "that doesn't come into it", “that has nothing to do with it,” or perhaps, “this has nothing to do with you”.
In other words: "mind your own business".
It’s also used as a question:
- Che c’entra?
- What's that got to do with it?
or
- Che c’entri?
- what’s it to you?
It's a thought many of us have had when dealing with gossiping neighbours or over-involved family members. Although whether you want to actually say it out loud to them or not is another question.
And if you disagree with something you simply counter with:
- c’entra!
- It does so!
Or personalise it as:
- c’entro!
- It certainly does concern me!
If you want to name the irrelevant thing, you can usually put the noun after c'entra. If the noun is plural, use c'entrano.
- È troppo caro.
- Che c’entrano I soldi? Pago io!
- It’s too expensive.
- Forget money. I’m paying!
Do you have an Italian word you'd like us to feature? If so, please email us with your suggestion.
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