How to say “REALLY” in italian

Different ways to say REALLY in Italian

Lee from the UK asks how can use the word “VERAMENTE”?

VERAMENTE means “really” in statements…
Whenever “REALLY” can be replaced with “VERY” or “TRULY” in statements, then in Italian we tend to use the words VERAMENTE.

▷ SOME EXAMPLES:

MI PIACE VERAMENTE TANTO
I like it (really) a lot!
I truly like it a lot!

ANDREA È VERAMENTE INNAMORATO DI SARA
Andrea is really in love with Sara
Andrea is truly in love with Sara

BUT…

When VERAMENTE starts a sentence though, it usually has a completely different meaning.

• ACTUALLY
• AS A MATTER OF FACT
• TRUTH BE TOLD
• TO BE HONEST

or any other similar expressions, depending on the mood you are trying to confer in English!

You basically want to use VERAMENTE any time you would say “actually” / “as a matter of fact” etc. in English!

▷ SOME EXAMPLES:

VERAMENTE IO NON HO MAI DETTO QUELLO!
Actually, I've never said that!

MI AMI? VERAMENTE, NO!
Do you love me? Actually, I don't.

In all these cases, a synonym for VERAMENTE would be the expression A DIRE IL VERO.

So what do I say when I'm surprise? (Really???)
In Italian it is very rare to use VERAMENTE when in English we would say REALLY with a sense of shock/surprise. It's possible in some circumstances, but in most cases you will hear Italians say:

• DAVVERO?
• MA DAI!
• NON MI DIRE!

Please note that NON MI DIRE can only be used when addressing one person. It doesn't work when addressing two or more people.

▷ SOME EXAMPLES:

HO COMPRATO UNA FERRARI!
I bought a Ferrari!
NON MI DIRE!!! (or DAVVERO?) (or MA DAI!)
Really? (OR You're kidding?) (OR For real?)

DOMANI MI SPOSO!
I'm getting married tomorrow!
DAVVERO?
Really?

Depending on the situation, an expression might be more appropriate than another.

DAVVERO is the most suitable to express pure surprise.

NON MI DIRE and MA DAI also work, but NON MI DIRE has the literal meaning of “DON'T TELL ME” and MA DAI of “COME ON“, so use them accordingly.