Picture this. You’re at your Air B&B in Florence. You’ve invited a friend over. She sits down, and you want to say something like, "There's coffee, but IF YOU WANT I also have tea and water."
There are a few different ways you could put these pieces together, but one of my newest favorites?
It’s using the word “volendo.”
Here’s how you would say it in Italian: C'è del caffè ma VOLENDO c'è anche del tè e acqua.
Here are two other examples:
Il menù per cena stasera consiste in un risotto ai funghi porcini e la bistecca alla fiorentina ma volendo potrei preparare anche gli gnocchi al pomodoro e basilico. - Tonight’s dinner menu is mushroom risotto and Florentine steak but if you want I could also prepare gnocchi in tomato sauce with basil.
Ho preparato una lezione di grammatica per oggi ma volendo, invece, potremmo fare conversazione. - I prepared a grammar lesson for today but if you want we could make conversation instead.
A similar phrase might be: "se si vuole" -- is super common, and it's a great way to be a better "ospite / host" to your "ospiti / guests."
Buono studio!
Un caro saluto,
Cher
PS. Did you notice that the word for “ospite - host” is the same as the word as “ospite - guest”? Isn’t that fun for clarity?
Note of language love: All of our articles, lessons, and podcast episodes have been edited by Irene Malentacchi, the founder of Italian in Love. However, if you find a mistake, let us know! We want these articles to be accurate, accessible, and easy to understand. Reach out directly at italianwithcher@gmail.com or leave a comment. Grazie in anticipo!
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