La definizione è chiara, anche se la parola ha più di un significato.

Questions & Answers about La definizione è chiara, anche se la parola ha più di un significato.

Why is it chiara and not chiaro?

Because chiara agrees with la definizione, which is a feminine singular noun.

In Italian, adjectives usually match the noun they describe in gender and number:

  • la definizione chiara = the clear definition
  • il testo chiaro = the clear text
  • le definizioni chiare = the clear definitions

So in your sentence, chiara is feminine singular because definizione is feminine singular.

Why does è have an accent?

The accent distinguishes è = is from e = and.

So:

  • La definizione è chiara = The definition is clear
  • la definizione e la parola = the definition and the word

This accent is very important in writing.

What does anche se mean here?

Anche se means although, even though, or sometimes even if, depending on context.

In this sentence:

  • La definizione è chiara, anche se la parola ha più di un significato.

it means:

  • The definition is clear, even though the word has more than one meaning.

It introduces a contrast: the word may be ambiguous, but the definition is still clear.

Why is it ha più di un significato and not ha più di un significati?

Because after più di un / più di una, Italian normally uses a singular noun, even though the meaning is plural.

So:

  • più di un significato = more than one meaning
  • più di una parola = more than one word

This is standard Italian usage. It works like a fixed pattern:

  • più di un problema
  • più di una volta
  • più di un errore

Even though the idea is plural, the noun usually stays singular.

Why is there di in più di un significato?

Because più di is the normal structure for more than in Italian.

Examples:

  • più di un significato = more than one meaning
  • più di due ore = more than two hours
  • più di cento persone = more than a hundred people

So di is simply part of the expression più di.

Why does Italian use ha here?

Ha is from the verb avere (to have).

  • la parola ha più di un significato = the word has more than one meaning

This works very much like English. Italian often uses avere in the same way:

  • Il termine ha due significati. = The term has two meanings.
  • Questa espressione ha un senso preciso. = This expression has a precise meaning.
Why are there definite articles in La definizione and la parola?

Italian uses definite articles more often than English, especially with nouns used in a general or identifiable way.

Here:

  • La definizione = the definition
  • la parola = the word

The sentence is talking about a specific definition and a specific word already understood from context.

Italian often keeps the article where English might sometimes drop it in a more abstract phrasing. For a learner, it is usually safest to include the article unless you know there is a reason not to.

Could I say anche se la parola ha più significati instead?

Yes, absolutely.

  • ha più di un significato = has more than one meaning
  • ha più significati = has several / multiple meanings

Both are correct, but the nuance is a little different:

  • più di un significato emphasizes more than one
  • più significati sounds a bit broader and less precise

So the original sentence highlights the contrast very neatly: even though the word has more than one meaning, the definition is still clear.

Why is there a comma before anche se?

Because anche se introduces a subordinate clause that adds contrast, and in Italian it is very common to separate that clause with a comma, especially when it comes after the main clause.

So:

  • La definizione è chiara, anche se la parola ha più di un significato.

This is natural punctuation and helps readability.

You may sometimes see variation in punctuation depending on style, but the comma here is completely normal.

Does anche se require the subjunctive?

No. Anche se normally takes the indicative, not the subjunctive.

That is why you have:

with ha in the indicative.

This is different from some other conjunctions that often trigger the subjunctive. For anche se, the indicative is the usual choice.

What is the basic structure of the whole sentence?

It breaks down like this:

  • La definizione = the definition
  • è chiara = is clear
  • anche se = even though / although
  • la parola = the word
  • ha = has
  • più di un significato = more than one meaning

So the pattern is:

[Main clause] + [contrast clause]

  • La definizione è chiara
  • anche se la parola ha più di un significato

This is a very common and useful Italian sentence structure.

What exactly does significato mean here?

Here, significato means meaning or sense.

  • la parola ha più di un significato = the word has more than one meaning

Be aware that significato can also mean significance in other contexts, but in this sentence it clearly means meaning in the dictionary or semantic sense.

Could parola be replaced by termine?

Yes, in some contexts, but they are not always identical.

  • parola = word
  • termine = term

Termine often sounds a bit more technical, formal, or specialized.
So:

  • la parola ha più di un significato = the word has more than one meaning
  • il termine ha più di un significato = the term has more than one meaning

If you are talking about ordinary vocabulary, parola is the most natural choice. If you are talking about terminology, academic language, or a specialized expression, termine may fit better.

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