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How to Say ‘Every other word’ in Italian

Una parola sì e una no

OO-nah pah-ROH-lah see eh OO-nah noh

[OO-nah pah-ROH-lah see eh OO-nah noh]

💬 Usage Tip: The pattern una sì e una no works with any noun to mean "every other one". For example, un giorno sì e uno no means "every other day".

Phrase Breakdown

Una parola sì

OO-nah pah-ROH-lah see

one word yes

This is the first half of an idiom meaning 'every other word'. Stress pa-RO-la.

Example

Capisco una parola sì...

I understand one word...

Words in this phrase

Una

[OO-nah]

a / one

Feminine singular indefinite article used before a feminine noun.

Example

Una giornata in famiglia mi fa sempre piacere.

A day with family always makes me happy.

parola

[pah-ROH-lah]

word

A single unit of language.

Example

Che parola difficile!

What a difficult word!

sì

[see]

yes

A simple affirmative answer, useful in conversation and interviews.

Example

Rispondo "Sì" quando mi chiedono se mi interessa la cultura aziendale.

I answer "Yes" when they ask me if I am interested in the company culture.

e una no

eh OO-nah noh

and one no

This completes the idiom: understanding only half of what's said.

Example

Capisco una parola sì e una no.

I understand every other word.

Words in this phrase

[eh]

and

A conjunction used to connect ideas or qualities.

Example

Nella frase E collaborativa, E aggiunge una seconda qualità positiva dell'azienda.

In the phrase 'E collaborativa,' 'E' adds a second positive quality of the company.

una

[OO-nah]

a / one

Feminine singular indefinite article used before a feminine noun.

Example

Una giornata in famiglia mi fa sempre piacere.

A day with family always makes me happy.

[noh]

Indicating a negative response.

Example

No, non è come pensi.

No, it is not as you think.

Guides for Italian learners

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