Allora

On a trip to Rome last week, I was having a conversation with an Italian, trying to anyway. Each time this person became stuck in the conversation they used the phrase " allora". I took this to mean maybe, " um" or "hold on", whilst they were thinking. In one of the lessons in this course they use the word Allora and translated it as, "then". I dont understand how this would make sence for becoming stuck in a conversation.

Hi Ezel, Good question! Allora is the literally Italian translation of then,well then or so. As you said, it's commonly to heard it used as a stock phrase in a every day conversation. Even the meaning it's different, I would consider it in the same way English speakers use "well ". All the best for your Italian learning. Ciao The Rocket Italian Team