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How to Say ‘But aren't they tired?’ in Italian

Ma non sono stanchi?

mah nohn SOH-noh STAHN-kee

[mah nohn SOH-noh STAHN-kee]

💬 Usage Tip: Stanchi ends in -i because it describes a group of men. For one woman it would be stanca.

Phrase Breakdown

Ma non sono

mah nohn SOH-noh

But aren't they

'Ma' means 'but' and shows surprise. Say it smoothly: 'mah non SOH-noh'.

Example

Ma non sono qui?

But aren't they here?

Words in this phrase

[mah]

But

Used to introduce a contrasting statement or question.

Example

Ma non capisco perché ma allora lei è felice.

But I don't understand why but then she is happy.

non

[nohn]

not

This word negates the verb that follows it.

Example

Non c'é nessuno.

There is no one.

sono

[SOH-noh]

are

Form of 'essere' (to be) for 'they'.

Example

Quali sono pronti?

Which ones are ready?

stanchi?

STAHN-kee

tired?

Plural of 'stanco'. Say 'STAHN-kee' with a rising tone for the question.

Example

Sono molto stanchi.

They are very tired.

Words in this phrase

stanchi

[STAHN-kee]

tired

Masculine plural of 'stanco', meaning tired or exhausted.

Example

Dopo il lavoro siamo stanchi.

After work we are tired.

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