sennò

Sennò is an Italian colloquial adverb and conjunction formed from se non, meaning otherwise or if not. It is used to introduce a consequence or alternative that follows if a condition is not met.

Etymology and form: the word is a contraction of the elements se and non, written as sennò with an accented final vowel. It is common in everyday speech and informal writing, and its spelling and pronunciation reflect a natural spoken blend.

Usage: sennò is widespread in Italian informal conversation, often heard in dialogue, media, and social media. In formal writing, speakers typically replace it with altrimenti or in caso contrario. It can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a clause to set up a consequence.

Examples: Dovresti inviare la documentazione entro oggi, sennò non potremo procedere. Andiamo ora, sennò rischiamo di perdere il treno. These sentences show how sennò links a condition to its potential outcome.

Regional and stylistic notes: while understood across Italy, sennò is particularly common in speech and regional varieties, where it helps convey immediacy and informality. In translated or highly formal contexts, alternatives that avoid colloquial tone are preferred.

See also: the standard equivalents in formal Italian include altrimenti and in caso contrario. The word is primarily a feature of spoken language and less typical in formal prose.