tuttora
Lemma: tuttora
Translation: still; even now; to this day; up to now (adverb)
Etymology: Tuttora comes from the combination of 'tutto' (all) and 'ora' (now), literally meaning 'all now' or 'all the way to now'. This construction emphasizes the continuity of an action or state from the past until the present moment. The English cognate elements would be 'all' (tutto) and 'hour' (ora, though 'ora' in Italian means 'now' rather than 'hour').
Example Usage
La tradizione è tuttora viva in molti paesi.
The tradition is still alive in many countries.
Questo problema esiste tuttora.
This problem still exists.
Sono tuttora in attesa di una risposta.
I am still waiting for an answer.
Tuttora non capisco perché l'ha fatto.
I still don't understand why he did it.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'tutto' (all) + 'ora' (now) = 'all the way to now'
- Remember 'tutt-ora' as 'throughout-now', indicating continuation to the present
Synonyms
Cultural Context
Tuttora is commonly used in both written and spoken Italian to emphasize that something that began in the past continues into the present, often with a slight tone of surprise or emphasis that the situation has persisted for so long.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While both mean 'still', 'tuttora' emphasizes continuity from the past until the present moment, while 'ancora' can simply indicate that something is continuing without necessarily emphasizing the duration from the past.
Confused word:
Sei ancora qui?
Are you still here?
Notes: Tuttora often appears in more formal or literary contexts, while ancora is more common in everyday speech.
Mnemonic: Tuttora = 'all the way to now' (emphasizing duration), ancora = just 'still' (without emphasis on duration)
Explanation: Both refer to a time span up to the present, but 'finora' (so far, until now) focuses on what has happened up to this point, while 'tuttora' emphasizes that something is continuing.
Notes: Finora often looks backward at what has happened, while tuttora looks at what continues to happen.
Mnemonic: Tuttora = still continuing, finora = up until now (but may or may not continue)