The difference between ciò and cioè explained
The question I want to reply to today regards the meaning of the word ciò.
I will also dig into the difference between ciò and cioè, another common and peculiar Italian word.
HOW TO USE CIO’ IN ITALIAN
Ciò appears to have multiple meanings.
Ciò is a demonstrative pronoun, and it is often used instead of questo and quello, especially in formal or written Italian.
Examples with ciò
- Ciò che mi fa arrabbiare è che (formal) – What drives me crazy is that…
- Quello che mi fa arrabbiare (informal) – What drives me crazy is that…
- Questo non è ciò che ti avevo detto di fare – This is not what I told you to do to (formal)
- Questo non è quello che ti avevo detto di fare – This is not what I told you to do (informal)
- Ciò che voglio dirti…– What I want to tell you (formal)
- Quello che voglio dirti… – What I want to tell you (informal)
Both quello che (informal) and ciò che (formal) means “that thing.”
The function of the pronoun is to replace something that was previously mentioned.
You should also know that ciò refers just to events or ideas, or to something that has just been said in the shape of a sentence.
HOW TO USE CIOE’ IN ITALIAN
Cio is often confused with the verb cioè, which has a different meaning and pronunciation.
Cioè is meanly a connector and is used in between two sentences in which the second one explains, corrects or rephrase the first one.
Examples with cioè
- Ci vediamo alle 3, cioè alle 4 – Let’s meet at 3, I mean at 4
- Vado in Belize, no cioè inn Guatemala – I am going to Belize, I mean, to Guatemala
In English, the most accurate translation of cioè would be “I mean.”
The formal pronoun referring to people is costei or costui.
It’s hardly ever used in spoken Italian and belongs to the written language.
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July 22, 2020 @ 11:56 am
I still do understand the circumstances when ció che as against quake is correct
July 22, 2020 @ 5:24 pm
– ciò che = quello che (in ENG: “what” in statement) ex: what I want to say = ciò che voglio dire
– cui = whom (used with a preposition) / ex: di cui = of whom / con cui = with whom /etc
Hope it helps!
Serena 🙂
February 1, 2021 @ 11:19 am
Serena,
I just found your site when looking for an explanation of “ciò che”. I liked your explanation and I plan to return soon to spend more time learning.
In the two sentences below, I believe the English should be “What drives…”, instead of “What drive…”
Ciò che mi fa arrabbiare è che (formal) – What drive me crazy is that…
Quello che mi fa arrabbiare (informal) – What drive me crazy is that…
Also, there is an extra “to” at the end of
Questo non è ciò che ti avevo detto di fare – This is not what I told you to do to (formal)
Buona giornata,
Richard
February 1, 2021 @ 12:58 pm
Grazie per seguirmi 🙂
Ho apportato le correzioni che mi hai segnalato.
A presto!