Result conjunctions (quindi, perciò, dunque)

Showing Results with "Quindi"

When an action causes a logical outcome—like in a science experiment—you can connect the two events using a conjunction of result. The most common word for "so" or "therefore" is quindi.

We do not understand the experiment, therefore we repeat everything.
Noi non capiamo l'esperimento, quindi ripetiamo tutto.
We heat the water, so we see a fast reaction.
Noi scaldiamo l'acqua, quindi vediamo una reazione veloce.

"Perciò" (For this reason)

Another very common conjunction of result is perciò. It is a combination of per (for) and ciò (this/that), so it translates directly to "for this reason" or "therefore". It is used exactly like quindi.

The substance is cold, therefore we heat it slowly.
La sostanza è fredda, perciò la scaldiamo lentamente.
The reaction creates a gas, therefore we open the window.
La reazione crea un gas, perciò apriamo la finestra.

"Dunque" (Thus / Therefore)

Finally, you can use dunque to mean "therefore" or "thus". While it can sometimes be used as a conversational filler word (like saying "well..." at the start of a sentence), in logical statements it functions just like the other result conjunctions.

The temperature increases, therefore the liquid becomes a gas.
La temperatura aumenta, dunque il liquido diventa un gas.
They control the temperature carefully, therefore the experiment works.
Loro controllano la temperatura attentamente, dunque l'esperimento funziona.

Stating Your Outcomes

Quindi, perciò, and dunque are largely interchangeable. You will hear all three used to state the outcome of an action, whether you are testing a hypothesis or observing a chemical reaction.

The hypothesis is ready, therefore we must measure the temperature.
L'ipotesi è pronta, quindi dobbiamo misurare la temperatura.
The steam is hot, thus we measure the temperature.
Il vapore è caldo, dunque misuriamo la temperatura.

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