Breakdown of Questa non è un'idea noiosa, anzi, è folle e avremo successo!
essere
to be
una
a / an (feminine)
e
and
questo
this (masculine)
non
not
l'idea
the idea (f)
noioso
boring
avere
to have
il successo
the success
anzi
on the contrary / or rather (in fact, better yet)
folle
crazy / insane
Questions & Answers about Questa non è un'idea noiosa, anzi, è folle e avremo successo!
Why does anzi mean on the contrary in this sentence instead of or rather?
In this sentence, anzi directly contradicts a negative statement, which is non è un'idea noiosa. When used after a negative clause to introduce the true, opposite reality, it takes the corrective meaning of on the contrary. If the first part of the sentence had been a positive statement that just needed escalating, it would mean or rather or better yet.
Why are there commas around anzi here?
When anzi links two independent clauses to show a strong contrast, it is often set off by commas to create a dramatic pause. This emphasizes the sudden shift from not boring to the extreme opposite, folle.
Could I use a single verb for to succeed instead of avremo successo?
To express being successful or succeeding in a goal, Italian relies on the expression avere successo, literally to have success. Be careful not to use the verb succedere, which is a false friend that actually means to happen or to occur.
Could I use pazza instead of folle to say the idea is crazy?
Yes, pazza works perfectly here. However, folle often carries a slightly more dramatic, reckless, or visionary tone, which fits beautifully with the enthusiastic claim that the idea will succeed. Remember that since folle is an adjective ending in -e, its singular form is exactly the same for both masculine and feminine nouns like idea.
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