era solo

it was just, was only; was alone

→ essere

phrase Common #7,388

it was just Used to say that something was only that and nothing more; often translates as 'was just' or 'was only' depending on context.

IT: Era solo un sogno.

EN: It was just a dream.

Ma in realtà era solo un modo per far incontrare mia madre e mio padre.

But it was actually just a way for my mother and father to meet.

— The Big Sick - Il matrimonio si può evitare... l'amore no (2017)

Ma era solo un modo per tenermi rinchiuso fino alla mia morte!

But it was just a way to keep me locked up until I died!

— 哪吒之魔童降世 (2019)

Era solo una sensazione.

It was just a feeling.

Ti ricordi di quando era solo una bambina?

Do you remember when she was just a little girl?

— Crimini e misfatti (1989)

Era solo d'argento.

It was only silver.

— La sfida del samurai (1961)

Hai detto che era solo muffa.

You said it was just mold.

— Together (2025)

Era solo per dire, amico.

I was just saying, man.

— Anora (2024)

Ma forse era solo colpa dell'umidità.

But maybe it was just because of the humidity.

— Angeli perduti (1995)

Era solo troppo bella per questa città.

She was just too beautiful for this city.

— Memorie di un assassino (2003)

Era solo un esperimento, signor capitano.

It was just an experiment, Captain.

— La leggenda del pianista sull'oceano (1998)

Se non risponde nessuno, quella che avevo visto era solo un errore.

If no one answers, what I saw was just a mistake.

— The Garden of Sinners Chapter 5: Paradox Paradigm (2008)

Era solo un sogno.

It was just a dream.

— Lo Hobbit: La desolazione di Smaug (2013)

Era solo una battuta.

It was just a joke.

— Oppenheimer (2023)

Tom era solo lunedì sera.

Tom was alone on Monday night.

Era solo una domanda, signor precettore.

It was just a question, sir.

— Hamnet - Nel nome del figlio (2025)

L'attenzione di Bhallaladeva era solo nel sconfiggere il nemico.

Bhallaladeva's only focus was defeating the enemy.

— Bahubali: The Beginning (2015)

Era solo ok, mi è capitato di meglio.

It was just okay; I've had better.

— Sorry, Baby (2025)

Per me era solo una bugia.

For me it was just a lie.

— Anatomia di una caduta (2023)

Era solo questione di tempo.

It was only a matter of time.

— Tropa de elite 2 - Il nemico ora è un altro (2010)

E si crede che l'idea gli sia venuta quando era solo un ragazzino.

And it is believed that he got the idea when he was just a young boy.

— Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025)

Era solo un lavoro come gli altri.

It was just another job.

— Blow Out (1981)

Era solo un'idea.

It was just an idea.

— Il nastro bianco (2009)

L'omicidio del Cancelliere era solo una dichiarazione.

The Chancellor's assassination was merely a statement.

— Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

O era solo una sorta di inferno?

Or was it just some kind of hell?

— 28 anni dopo - Il tempio delle ossa (2026)

Tranquilla, era solo un sogno, non devi prenderlo troppo sul serio.

Don't worry, it was just a dream; you shouldn't take it too seriously.

— Il nastro bianco (2009)

Era solo per curiosità.

It was just out of curiosity.

— Picnic (1955)

Era solo routine.

It was just routine.

— Quei bravi ragazzi (1990)

Era solo un esempio, tra tanti altri.

It was just one example, among many others.

— Love Letters (2025)

Si-uno era solo lì vicino.

Yes-one was just standing nearby.

— No Other Choice - Non c'è altra scelta (2025)

Era solo una bambina.

She was just a little girl.

— Thunderbolts* (2025)

Era solo una domanda, ma probabilmente so già la risposta.

It was just a question, but I probably already know the answer.

— I morti non muoiono (2019)

Era solo uno scherzo.

It was just a joke.

— È arrivata mia figlia! (2015)

Era solo l'inizio.

It was only the beginning.

— La fiamma del peccato (1944)

Era solo un anno fa.

It was only a year ago.

Come ho detto, con lei era solo sesso.

Like I said, with her it was just sex.

— Anatomia di una caduta (2023)

Vanessa era solo una delle tante vittime.

Vanessa was just one of many victims.

— Tesis (1996)

Era solo una bozza.

It was just a draft.

— Anatomia di una caduta (2023)

Era solo una piccola quantità dell'esplosivo a sua disposizione.

It was only a small amount of the explosive at his disposal.

— Mercy - Sotto accusa (2026)

Anche se era solo un gioco.

Even if it was just a game.

— L'uomo che venne dalla Terra (2007)

Amava stare in galera o era solo sfortunato?

Did he enjoy being in jail or was he just unlucky?

— The Rip - Soldi sporchi (2026)

Forse era solo curioso, ma sembrava comunque bizzarro.

Maybe he was just curious, but it still seemed bizarre.

Era solo un'ipotesi.

It was just a hypothesis.

— Lars e una ragazza tutta sua (2007)

Tom era solo confuso.

Tom was just confused.

phrase Uncommon #20,777

was only; was alone Used with context to mean either that something was merely/just one thing, or that someone was by themselves.

IT: Quando sono arrivato, il negozio era solo per pochi minuti.

EN: When I arrived, the store had only been open for a few minutes.

Non era solo.

He wasn't alone.

— Mercy - Sotto accusa (2026)

Era solo.

He was alone.

— Tre uomini in fuga (1966)

Era solo un bambino.

He was just a child.

— I guardiani della notte (2004)

Tom era solo a casa.

Tom was home alone.

Tom era solo.

Tom was alone.

Era solo amore con quella ragazza o siete andati oltre?

Was it just love with that girl, or did you go further?

— Dal cuore (1998)

Tom era solo il giorno di San Valentino.

Tom was alone on Valentine's Day.

A dire il vero, era solo.

To tell the truth, he was alone.

Era solo un esperimento.

It was just an experiment.

— Andhadhun (2018)

Tom era solo nella stanza.

Tom was alone in the room.

Era solo?

Was he alone?

— The Man from Nowhere (2010)

Tom disse a Mary che era solo.

Tom told Mary he was alone.

Era solo un commento.

It was just a comment.

— Mangiare bere uomo donna (1994)

Realizzò che non era solo.

He realized he wasn't alone.