Che polivalente

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That said, in this video I'd like to talk about the so-called "che polivalente".

Alright! First of all, let me say that I for one don't like this definition. Because, to be honest, the wording "che polivalente" makes me think of those degreasers - you spray them, they are multi-purpose, they can have many functions. You can clean the sink, you can clean the table, you can clean metal, you can clean other types of surfaces. That is, you can clean whatever you want, right?

You surely know such products, right? You spray them and they are multi-purpose - right? - ok. The word "polivalente" makes me think of something like that.

Anyway, people working in linguistics use the term "che polivalente".

Alright! You know what "che" means. You surely know the word "che". You know that "che" can be used both as a conjunction and a relative pronoun.

--- (Examples of CHE as conjunction vs CHE as a relative pronoun) ---

Thing is, in today's Italian, especially in spoken Italian, the word "che" is also used in place of specific conjunctions. So, in other words, in spoken Italian, some conjunctions are often replaced by the word "che".

That's the reason why people use the term "che polivalente". Because the word is always the same, "che", but "che" can be used in different ways and can have several functions. For this reason people call it "polivalente".

I have noticed that on the Internet people tend to explain the "che polivalente" by reviewing all the functions of this word at the same time. In my opinion, such approach doesn't make much sense and only causes confusion.

Therefore, in this video I would like to talk about a specific way of using "che". Namely, about "che" used in place of the conjunction "perché". That is, "che" used to introduce causal subordinate clauses.

Before I explain this, I would like to point out that "che" can also replace other conjunctions. In this video I'm going to talk only about "che" used in place of the conjunction "perché". In the future I may publish more videos, one for each conjunction.

In this video I'm going to talk about "perché". That is, "che" introducing causal clauses. In other words, "che" replacing "perché".

But let's jump straight into an example!

Let's pretend that I am at my friend's place and we have to go out together. Before I get out, I look out of the window and tell her: "Prendi l'ombrello che sta piovendo!".

What does "Prendi l'ombrello che sta piovendo" mean? It means: take your umbrella, because it's raining. So in this case "che" expresses a casual link and is used in place of the conjunction "perché".

What's the difference in meaning between "Prendi l'ombrello che sta piovendo" and "Prendi l'ombrello perché sta piovendo"? There's no difference whatsoever. It's just that the sentence "Prendi l'ombrello che sta piovendo" is more informal, this form is typical of spoken Italian, it's a colloquial form.

It's not that uncommon. Quite the opposite: in today's Italian such wording is very, very common. Many people, instead of saying "Prendi l'ombrello perché sta piovendo", say "Prendi l'ombrello che sta piovendo".

Why? Because it's faster. And it requires less effort. Therefore, given that it requires less effort, they prefer to say that. Because it's indeed easier to say "Prendi l'ombrello che sta piovendo" rather than "Prendi l'ombrello perché sta piovendo". Because it's longer, right? It's a longer word.

But let's do another example! Let's pretend that I am - once again - at my friend's place and that we have to go out together - I don't know - to the movie theatre. And let's say that we are already late, right?

However, I see that this friend of mine is wasting time. I mean, she needs to get ready, but it's taking her too long. And I could tell her: "Fai in fretta, che è tardi!"

What does "Fai in fretta che è tardi" mean? It means: please move faster, because we are already late. Move faster because it's already late. So in this case too "che" replaces the word "perché".

I don't know if you know the verb "sbrigarsi". Well, in this case I could use the verb "sbrigarsi". I could tell her: "Sbrigati, che è tardi!". What does it mean? "Sbrigati perché è tardi".

Again, what's the difference between "Sbrigati che è tardi" and "Sbrigati perché è tardi"? There's no difference. The meaning is the same. It's just that the tone of voice of "che" is a bit lower, that is, more informal, more colloquial.

The "che polivalente" is an occurrence typical of spoken Italian, it's undoubtedly less common in writing. Or rather, I advise you against using "che" this way in writing.

It's clear that, if you send a text to your friends, you can do that. But if you have to write a composition or esssay, to write, I don't know, let's say a report, I don't know, anything, I suggest that you use more specific conjunctions. Namely, "perché".

But let's do another example!

Let's pretend that a friend of mine asks me some advice and basically asks me if he should do something. I could reply to him: "No, non farlo, che è rischioso".

What does it mean? Don't do that, because it's dangerous. In this case too "che" replaces "perché".

I'm going to give you an example which is a bit more complex.

I could say: "No, non farlo, che se no ti arrestano". What does "che se no ti arrestano" mean? Because otherwise you'll be arrested. Or else you'll be arrested.

Or: "No, non fare questa cosa, che se no tua moglie chiede il divorzio". What does it mean? It means: "perché se no tua moglie chiede il divorzio".

Another example could be: "Mi hanno detto di aiutarla, che ne aveva bisogno". In my opinion, "che" here replaces "perché". Therefore: "Mi hanno detto di aiutarla, perché ne aveva bisogno".

Well, I would say that in my opinion this is an acceptable, indeed perfectly acceptable use of the so called "che polivalente". Thing is, "che" can replace various things. In my opinion, where it replaces "perché", there are no problems. So any "che" introducing a causal clause doesn't sound too bad. Quite the opposite: it's rather smooth.

"Che" can also be used to replace other words and, according to some linguists, including myself, in some cases the result is a bit repulsive.

In the case of the word "perché", though, I for one think it's perfectly fine. That is, in speaking, we can use either "perché" or "che". There are no problems.

--- (examples with "che polivalente") ---

Well, that is it! I hope everything is clear. If you have any queries or concerns, please leave a comment below!

If you wish to improve your Italian, consider subscribing to my channel, or else you will miss the updates.

In the comments please let me know if you want that I make more episodes about the other conjunctions. Like I said, this is "che polivalente" in place of the conjunction "perché". Please let me know if you are also interested in the other conjunctions, and the other uses of "che polivalente".

That being said - Till next time!

And may the Force of Advanced Italian be with you!