A Yabla subscriber has asked about the difference between infatti and in effetti. The question is an excellent one.

The short answer is that infatti may be translated as “in fact,” while in effetti can be translated as “actually,” or “admittedly.” You can get this kind of information from any dictionary. But the question merits a closer look.

Infatti has, over time, become a single word but like many Italian words of this type, started out being two words: in + fatti. It’s extremely similar to the English “in fact,” and, not surprisingly, it means the very same thing.

È quasi una sorella, anzi è una sorella.

She's almost a sister, or rather, she is a sister.

Infatti, parliamo allo stesso modo...

In fact, we talk the same way...

e facciamo le stesse cose.

and do the same things.

Captions 4-6, Amiche - sulla spiaggia

 Play Caption

Another way to say infatti is difatti. It’s less common, but used often enough, and is interchangeable with infatti. Note that these two terms use the plural ending.

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

The fact is, both infatti and difatti come from the Latin de facto (from the fact) which is also used in English to mean that something exists in fact, although perhaps not in an intentional, legal, or accepted way: de facto. The direct Italian translation of the Latin de facto is di fatto—two words, like the Latin. Note that this term uses the singular ending, as in the Latin.

When we go to a meeting, and it doesn’t actually take place for some reason, we can say it was nulla di fatto (nothing actually happened).

In the following example from the very first episode of Commissario Manara, introductions are being made at police headquarters. Pio, meaning pious, is an old-fashioned but common enough name in Italian. Buttafuoco’s co-worker is making a pun, saying Pio Buttafuoco is a good and maybe even religious person.

Buttafuoco. -È pio, eh di, di nome e di fatto.

Buttafuoco. -He's Pio [pious], uh in, in name and in fact.

Caption 48, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP1 - Un delitto perfetto

 Play Caption

Unlike infatti, in effetti is made up of two words, and though, like infatti and difatti, it comes from the Latin de facto, it’s a bit more subjective, and has to do with taking something into consideration and admitting that, “yes, that is actually so.”

In the following example, in effetti is used because one couple realizes that they have actually been absent for a good while, and so the question is more than justified.

Ma è un po' che non vi si vede. Dove siete stati?

Well, it's been awhile since we've seen you. Where have you been?

Beh sì, in effetti siamo appena rientrati dall'India.

Well yes, actually we've just gotten back from India.

Captions 7-8, Escursione - Un picnic in campagna

 Play Caption

In this case, they could just as easily have said:

Beh si, infatti, siamo appena rientrati dall’India.
Well yes, in fact, we just got back from India.

It’s just a different slant, like saying “in fact” instead of “actually” or “as a matter of fact.”

In effetti can be used when you’re forced to agree with someone, but not all that willingly, or when they have convinced you of something.

You might say:

In effetti... hai ragione.
Admittedly... you’re right.

The other person who knew he was right all along, and was waiting for you to realize it, might say:

Infatti, ho ragione!
In fact, I am right!

He might also just say:

Infatti.
In fact.

Infatti can be used by itself to confirm what someone has said. You’re agreeing wholeheartedly. It may not actually have to do with facts, but is used in the same circumstances in which we use “in fact,” “as a matter of fact,” “that’s a fact,” or “that’s true” in English. It’s usually expressed with an affirmative tone.

In effetti is more like a consideration. It’s more like “admittedly” or “actually.” The tone may well be one of realizing something you hadn’t considered before. You might raise your eyebrows. The adverb form of in effetti is effettivamente and can be used interchangeably for the most part.

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

To sum up, there are definite differences in the words discussed in this lesson, but the differences are, in effetti, fairly subtle, and so you have to pay close attention to really grasp them. For the most part, if you stick to infatti to be emphatic, and in effetti to be a bit more thoughtful, you’ll probably do fine! Listen to the tone and context in the Yabla videos to get more insight into these words.

In Italian, as in any language, there’s more than one way to say sì (yes). As we’ll see, there are situations in which it’s more to the point to use words like certo (certainly), va bene (OK), senz’altro (definitely), or come no (of course). Even just changing the number of times we say sì, along with our tone of voice, can change its effect. Said just once, it can be rather dry, or, depending on how it is said, it can leave a little room for doubt. Said twice, sì sì (the first one higher pitched than the second), it indicates that the speaker is sure of his answer. But attenzione, this double sì sì can also imply irony! Three times, repeated rapidly, really emphasizes that there’s no question, no doubt: Of course it’s yes.

Ma posso prendere anche la metropolitana?

But can I also take the subway?

Sì, sì, sì, dura settantacinque minuti

Yes, yes, yes, it lasts seventy-five minutes

e puoi fare una corsa autobus e una corsa metro.

and you can take one bus ride and one subway ride.

Captions 18-20, Passeggiando per Roma - per Roma

 Play Caption

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

When you want to say "OK" (meaning "yes"), va bene* fits the bill.

Ti va di andare a prendere un caffè?

You feel like going to get a coffee?

... -Ehm, va bene.

... -Uh, OK.

Captions 36-39, Passeggiando per Roma - per Roma

 Play Caption

Senz’altro is a strong yes and leaves no room for doubt.

E un'altra cosa, potrebbe trovarmi una sistemazione per stasera?

And another thing, could you find me an accommodation for tonight?

-Senz'altro dottore, ci penso io.

-Definitely, Doctor, I'll take care of it.

Captions 42-43, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP1 - Un delitto perfetto - Part 4

 Play Caption

In fact, senz’altro is also used to mean "without a doubt" or "undoubtedly" and can replace sicuramente (surely).

Hanno senz’altro dimenticato l’appuntamento.

They undoubtedly forgot the appointment.

In conversation, sì (or its equivalents) will often be preceded or followed by the non-word eh, which is used to reinforce the word, like in sì eh! (yeah, really!). Other words that can precede these yes words to give them more importance are e (and) and ma (but).

Che peccato! -Eh sì, che peccato.

What a shame! -Oh yes, a shame.

Captions 25-26, Francesca - alla guida

 Play Caption

E certo. Che faccio, riesco, mi metto la cravatta e torno?

Sure. What do I do, go out, put on a tie and come back?

Caption 15, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP1 - Un delitto perfetto - Part 6

 Play Caption

Me la vuole dare questa stanza?

Well, you want to give me this room?

-Ma certo che gliela do questa stanza.

-But of course I'll give you this room.

Captions 24-25, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP1 - Un delitto perfetto - Part 6

 Play Caption

Use d’accordo (agreed) to say yes to an invitation.

Andiamo al cinema insieme? -D’accordo.

Shall we go to the movies together? -Sure.

Sometimes you wouldn’t dream of saying no, so you say the literal equivalent of "how not?":

Posso farmi un panino?

May I make myself a sandwich?

-Come no, io ricomincio a suonare.

-Of course, I'll start playing again.

Captions 23-24, Escursione - Un picnic in campagna

 Play Caption

Come no is also used to contradict a false negative statement:

La Francia non è in Europa. -Come no!

France is not in Europe. -Yes, it is!

BANNER PLACEHOLDER

And that’s the story on sì. There are, senz’altro, still more ways to say sì, but this can get you started. As you go about your day, think positive! Say yes! Say it in Italiano and say it in as many ways as you can. 

* More about va bene in: Corso di italiano con Daniela - Chiedere "Come va?"

P.S. You can’t always know your mind. So if you’re not sure you want to say yes, or you just don’t know the answer, have Arianna tell you what to say both in Italian and in Italian body language! Arianna spiega - I gesti degli Italiani - Part 2