How do you say "There was / there were" in Italian?

"There was / there were" in Italian is "C'era". This phrase is commonly used in Italy.

📍

How to Say ‘There was / there were’ in Italian

Q: What does "C'era" mean in English?

"C'era" means "There was / there were" in English. Usage tip: [C'era] is a shortened form of [ci era], meaning "there was." The same thing happens in [c'è] for "there is."

C'era

cheh EH-rah

[cheh EH-rah]

💬 Usage Tip: [C'era] is a shortened form of [ci era], meaning "there was." The same thing happens in [c'è] for "there is."

Phrase Breakdown

[cheh]

there

Part of the expression c'era, meaning there was.

Example

C'era molta confusione davanti alla stazione.

There was a lot of confusion in front of the station.

era

[EH-rah]

was

Imperfect of essere used in c'era to mean there was.

Example

C'era un incidente sulla strada principale.

There was an accident on the main road.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Spent the summer in Tuscany researching Italian cuisine. Being able to chat with nonnas at the market about recipes? Absolutely priceless.”

Grace P., 34, Food Writer

“Working on a project in Milan and needed professional Italian fast. The business scenarios gave me the confidence to present to clients within a month.”

Daniel F., 45, Architect

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer