ocasione

Ocasion e the standard Italian form is usually written as occa ssione; the spelling “ocasione” is uncommon and generally regarded as a misspelling. In Italian, the word occasione (with double c) is a feminine noun that denotes a favorable moment or set of circumstances that makes something possible, as well as a particular event or chance to act. In English, it is commonly translated as occasion, opportunity, or event.

Etymology and related forms: The term derives from Latin occasio, meaning a meeting, coming together, or opportunity. Its cognates appear across Romance languages, including Spanish ocasión, French occasion, and Portuguese ocasião, all sharing the sense of a noteworthy or opportune moment.

Usage and nuance: In Italian, expressions such as in occasione di mean “on the occasion of,” una buona occasione means “a good opportunity,” and una occasione speciale or una occasione importante can describe notable events. The phrase occasione mancata refers to a missed opportunity. The word often emphasizes timeliness or favorable circumstances, distinguishing it from more neutral terms like caso (case) or from the broader, sometimes more formal opportunità (opportunity).

See also: Cognates in other languages (Spanish ocasión, French occasion, Portuguese ocasião) illustrate the cross-language continuity of the concept, while distinctions among occasion, opportunity, and event reflect subtle nuances in Italian usage.