Italian Connectors of Result: Using quindi, perciò, and di conseguenza
Learn to express results and consequences in Italian with quindi, perciò, and di conseguenza. Compare with contrast connectors like però and tuttavia.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Italian, when you want to show that one action or fact is the result of another, you use connectors of result such as quindi, perciò, and di conseguenza. These words mean 'therefore', 'so', 'as a result', or 'consequently'. They differ from contrast connectors like però ('but') or tuttavia ('however'), which introduce a contrasting idea rather than a result. This lesson will teach you how to use these result connectors accurately in intermediate-level Italian, with plenty of examples and practice.
By the end, you can…
- use quindi, perciò, and di conseguenza to express results in Italian.
- distinguish result connectors from contrast connectors like però and tuttavia.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
È tardi, quindi vado a casa.
It's late, therefore I'm going home.
eh TAR-dee, KWEEN-dee VAH-doh a KAH-zah
Quindi is the most common result connector. It can start a sentence or follow a comma.
Ha piovuto, perciò siamo rimasti in casa.
It rained, so we stayed at home.
ah PYOH-voo-toh, per-CHOH SYAH-moh ree-MAH-stee in KAH-zah
Perciò is slightly more formal than quindi and often used in writing.
Non ho studiato, di conseguenza ho fallito l'esame.
I didn't study; consequently, I failed the exam.
non oh stoo-DYAH-toh, dee kon-seh-GWEN-tsah oh fahl-LEE-toh leh-ZAH-meh
Di conseguenza is more formal and emphatic, often used in reports or presentations.
Pioveva forte, così abbiamo deciso di restare.
It was raining hard, so we decided to stay.
PYOH-veh-vah FOR-teh, koh-ZEE ab-BYAH-moh deh-CHEE-zoh dee reh-STAH-reh
Così is informal and very common in spoken Italian, similar to 'so' in English.
Il traffico era intenso; pertanto, siamo arrivati in ritardo.
The traffic was heavy; therefore, we arrived late.
eel TRAHF-fee-koh EH-rah in-TEN-soh; per-TAN-toh, SYAH-moh ar-ree-VAH-tee in ree-TAR-doh
Pertanto is formal and mostly used in written Italian, especially in bureaucratic contexts.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Result connectors typically join two clauses where the second is a consequence of the first. The most common are quindi, perciò, così, and di conseguenza. They can appear after a comma or at the beginning of a sentence. For example: 'Non mi sento bene, quindi non vengo.' (I don't feel well, so I'm not coming.) 'Ha lavorato molto, perciò è stanco.' (He worked a lot, therefore he's tired.) 'Era tardi, di conseguenza abbiamo preso un taxi.' (It was late; consequently, we took a taxi.) Note that quindi and perciò are largely interchangeable, while di conseguenza is more formal.
When to use it
Use result connectors when you want to express a cause-effect relationship. They are essential in both spoken and written Italian. In informal conversation, così is very frequent: 'Non avevo soldi, così non ho comprato niente.' (I had no money, so I didn't buy anything.) In formal writing, prefer pertanto or di conseguenza: 'La situazione è grave; pertanto, è necessario intervenire.' (The situation is serious; therefore, it is necessary to intervene.) Avoid confusing them with contrast connectors like però ('but') or tuttavia ('however'), which introduce a contrasting idea: 'Era tardi, però siamo rimasti.' (It was late, but we stayed.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Perché non sei venuto alla festa?
Why didn't you come to the party?per-KEH non seh VEH-noo-toh al-lah FES-tahAvevo un impegno improvviso, quindi non ho potuto.
I had an unexpected commitment, so I couldn't.ah-VEH-voh oon eem-PEH-nyoh eem-proh-VEE-zoh, KWEEN-dee non oh poh-TOO-ohCapisco. È stato un peccato, però ci siamo divertiti lo stesso.
I see. It was a shame, but we had fun anyway.kah-PEES-koh. eh STAH-toh oon peh-KAH-toh, peh-ROH chee SYAH-moh dee-vehr-TEE-tee loh STES-sohMi dispiace. La prossima volta cercherò di esserci, perciò fammi sapere.
I'm sorry. Next time I'll try to be there, so let me know.mee dee-SPYAH-cheh. lah PROHS-see-mah VOL-tah chehr-keh-ROH dee es-SEHR-chee, per-CHOH FAHM-mee sah-PEH-rehA little context goes a long way
In Italian, the choice between result connectors often depends on formality and context. Quindi and così are common in everyday speech across Italy, while perciò is slightly more formal. Di conseguenza and pertanto are typical of written Italian, such as in news articles or official documents. Regional accents vary, but the standard pronunciation of these connectors is understood everywhere.
One thing to watch for
Confusing 'però' with result connectors because both can appear in similar sentence positions.
Try this instead: 'Però' means 'but' or 'however', not 'therefore'. For result, use 'quindi', 'perciò', or 'di conseguenza'. Example: 'Era tardi, quindi sono andato via.' (It was late, so I left.) Not: 'Era tardi, però sono andato via.' which would mean 'It was late, but I left.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Translate: 'She was tired, so she went to bed early.'
Show a sample answer
Era stanca, quindi è andata a letto presto.
Quindi correctly expresses the result. 'Perciò' or 'così' are also acceptable. 'Però' would be wrong because it indicates contrast.
2Which connector is more formal: 'quindi' or 'di conseguenza'?
Show a sample answer
Di conseguenza
Di conseguenza is more formal and often used in written Italian. Quindi is common in both speech and writing but less formal.
3Fill in the blank with a result connector: 'Non ho mangiato, ___ ho fame.'
Show a sample answer
quindi
Quindi fits perfectly. 'Perciò' or 'così' also work. 'Però' would change the meaning to contrast: 'but I'm hungry'.
Use quindi, perciò, or di conseguenza to show results. Remember: result connectors link cause and effect, while contrast connectors like però and tuttavia introduce a difference.
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