Meaning
instead, but, whereas, on the contrary
- instead
- on the contrary; whereas
In a sentence
Io resto a casa, tu invece esci stasera.
I'm staying home, but you're going out tonight.
Non vuole il tè, invece prende un caffè.
He doesn't want tea; instead, he has a coffee.
Io studio, tu invece lavori.
I study, whereas you work.
Usage notes
- Use invece for contrast between two ideas; ma is a simple 'but' and can sound weaker.
- It often follows the topic it contrasts: Io studio, lui invece lavora.
- Don't use it alone to replace a whole clause in English-style ellipsis; Italian usually keeps the contrasted subject or verb.