ancora
/ˈaŋ.ko.ra/
Definition
Still, yet, or again — used to say something continues or happens one more time.
Example
Vuoi ancora un po' di caffè?
Show translation
Do you want a little more coffee?
Etymology
From Latin *ancora*, itself borrowed from Greek *ἄγκυρα* (ánkyra), meaning "anchor." The semantic shift from the physical anchor — something that holds a situation in place — to the temporal sense of "still / yet" is a fascinating metaphorical extension that occurred in Vulgar Latin and early Italian. The nautical noun *ancora* (anchor) is a separate, homographic Italian word that preserves the original concrete meaning.
Cultural note
*Ancora* is famously shouted by Italian audiences at the end of a concert to demand an encore — the same word that English borrowed as "encore" via French. A false friend to watch: English "encore" is French for "again/still," directly mirroring the Italian use. If a performer hears *ancora!* in an Italian opera house, they know the crowd wants more.