The Italian conjunction Ma translates to which English word?

• A. And
• B. Or
• C. However
• D. But

Answer: (D)

Ma signals a contrast between two parts of a sentence, so its natural English rendering is "but." It connects what came before with what follows to show a turn in the thought or a limitation to the previous statement. For example: “Vado al cinema, ma non ho tempo” becomes “I’m going to the cinema, but I don’t have time.” This is the function you use when you want to counter or qualify what was just said. The other options don’t fit because they add information (and) or present alternatives (or), while "however" is a more formal, separate introductory contrast.