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Il ragazzo è nervoso, ma è comprensibile; d'altronde l'adolescenza è difficile.

Il ragazzo è nervoso, ma è comprensibile; d'altronde l'adolescenza è difficile.
The boy is nervous, but it is understandable; after all, adolescence is difficult.
From Lesson 338:Justifications (d'altronde, del resto)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Il ragazzo è nervoso, ma è comprensibile; d'altronde l'adolescenza è difficile.

How exactly does d'altronde work in this sentence?
D'altronde is a connector used to introduce a justification or an added perspective that explains a situation. Here, it translates to 'after all' or 'besides,' showing that the boy's nervousness makes perfect sense when you consider the broader context of adolescence being a tough phase.
Could I use del resto instead of d'altronde here?
Yes, absolutely! Both del resto and dopotutto (after all) are excellent synonyms in this context. They all introduce a concluding thought that justifies or provides perspective on the previous statement.
Why is there a semicolon before d'altronde?
Connectors of justification like d'altronde and del resto typically introduce a new independent clause that reflects on what was just said. Because of this, they are usually preceded by a strong pause, like a semicolon or a full stop, rather than just a comma.
Why is it l'adolescenza (with the article) when the English translation just says 'adolescence'?
In Italian, when you make a general statement about an abstract concept or a broad category (like adolescence, love, or life), you generally must use the definite article. Since adolescenza starts with a vowel, the singular feminine article la drops its 'a' and becomes l'.
Does nervoso mean exactly the same thing as the English word 'nervous'?
Not exactly, so be careful! While it can mean 'anxious,' nervoso often leans much more towards feeling irritable, tense, or on edge. So, the boy isn't necessarily just worried; he might be acting moody or snappy, which is why it is blamed on his adolescence.

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