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carità

charity

noun kah-ree-TAH Rare
People & Society Values

Origin: From Latin caritas (dearness, love), related to carus (dear).

Also means

mercy

Usage Note

Carità has a written accent on the final à and is therefore invariable: la carità, le carità (both singular and plural look the same). It covers both the act of giving to the poor and the Christian theological virtue of love. The phrase per carità! is an everyday interjection meaning 'for goodness' sake!' or 'absolutely not!' — a false friend trap for learners.

Examples

"Fa della carità ogni settimana al mercato."

Natural Translation

She gives to charity every week at the market.

Literal Translation

She does of-the charity every week at-the market.

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