In a sentence
Io penso il contrario.
I think the opposite.
Sai qual è il contrario di caldo?
Do you know the opposite of hot?
Non ho detto il contrario, hai capito male.
I didn't say the opposite; you understood wrong.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| contrario | masculine · singular |
| contrari | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- As a noun, it often appears in fixed phrases like al contrario or il contrario di. Alone, opposite is often opposto in everyday speech.
- Do not confuse noun contrario with adjective contrario: opinione contraria means contrary opinion, but il contrario means the opposite.
- For word meaning, use contrario mainly in il contrario di una parola; antonimo is more precise in grammar or dictionary contexts.
Meaning · adjective
opposite, contrary
- opposed, against
- adverse, unfavourable
In a sentence
Io sono contrario a questa idea.
I am against this idea.
Hai avuto un parere contrario dal medico?
Did you get an opposing opinion from the doctor?
Non era contraria a uscire con noi.
She wasn't unwilling to go out with us.
Word forms (4)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|
| contrario | masculine · singular |
| contraria | feminine · singular |
| contrari | masculine · plural |
| contrarie | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- Use contrario after essere, parere, votare: Sono contrario alla proposta. For simple negation, non d'accordo is often more common in speech.
- For 'opposite' between two things, opposite is often opposto; contrario is common in set phrases like al contrario or senso contrario.
- When meaning 'against/opposed to,' it usually takes a or a + article: contrario a qualcosa, contrario alla legge.
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