Meaning
in vain, uselessly
In a sentence
Ti ho chiamato invano per tutta la mattina.
I called you in vain all morning.
Hai cercato invano le chiavi nella borsa?
Did you look for the keys in your bag in vain?
Non aspettare invano, arriva tra cinque minuti.
Don't wait in vain, he'll arrive in five minutes.
Usage notes
- More literary and emphatic than inutilmente; common in writing, speeches, and dramatic contexts.
- Usually follows the verb: ho aspettato invano. Before the verb sounds marked or poetic.
- Use with verbs of trying, waiting, hoping, searching: cercare invano, aspettare invano, sperare invano.