Learn Italian: Qualunque cosa accada, questo principio vale. - Whatever happens, this principle applies.

Qualunque cosa accada, questo principio vale.

Whatever happens, this principle applies.

Breakdown of Qualunque cosa accada, questo principio vale.

Questions & Answers about Qualunque cosa accada, questo principio vale.

Why is accada in the subjunctive here?

The word qualunque triggers the subjunctive when used in this kind of 'no matter what' phrase. Because we are expressing 'whatever thing might happen', the verb accadere (to happen) must take its present subjunctive form, accada.

Could I use qualsiasi instead of qualunque in this sentence?

Yes, you absolutely can! The words qualsiasi and qualunque are fully interchangeable here. Saying Qualsiasi cosa accada means exactly the same thing.

Why do we need the word cosa? Doesn't qualunque already mean whatever?

The word qualunque is an adjective, so it must be attached to a noun. It literally translates to 'any' or 'whichever'. To express the English concept of 'whatever', you have to say qualunque cosa (literally, 'any thing').

What verb does vale come from, and why does it mean applies?

The word vale is the third-person singular of valere, which fundamentally means 'to be valid' or 'to be worth'. When talking about a rule, law, or principio (principle), saying it is valid (vale) is the natural way to say it 'applies' or 'holds true'.