ma era

but it was

→ ma
phrase Common #6,757
but it was Depending on context, “era” can mean “he was,” “she was,” or “it was.”
IT: Pensavo fosse chiuso, ma era aperto.
EN: I thought it was closed, but it was open.

Ma era un eroe, ed era al sicuro.

But he was a hero, and he was safe.

Ma era una somma che potevo permettermi di pagare.

But it was an amount I could afford to pay.

Ma era come se tra noi ci fosse una fune invisibile.

But it was as if there was an invisible rope between us.

— Who Am I - No System Is Safe (2014)

Ma era dietro suo ordine.

But it was on his orders.

— Codice d'onore (1992)

Ma era il suo compleanno e non ho potuto dirgli di no.

But it was his birthday and I couldn't say no.

— Tutto su mia madre (1999)

Ma era nella tua confraternita.

But he was in your fraternity.

— Picnic (1955)

Cercava di nasconderlo, ma era evidente che fosse molto agitata.

She tried to hide it, but it was obvious that she was very upset.

Layla parlava in arabo, ma era americana.

Layla spoke Arabic, but she was American.

Ma era pura apparenza.

But it was pure appearance.

— Contrattempo (2017)

Ma era un bambino.

But he was a child.

— Mystic River (2003)

Ma era un'ottima squadra omicidi.

But it was an excellent homicide squad.

— The Rip - Soldi sporchi (2026)

Infatti sono arrivata ieri sera verso le undici, ma era chiuso.

In fact, I arrived last night around eleven, but it was closed.

— Suspiria (1977)

Tuo padre ci amava molto, ma era debole.

Your father loved us very much, but he was weak.

— Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

Ho visto un commissariato in un film, ma era molto più pulito.

I saw a police station in a movie, but it was much cleaner.

— I 400 colpi (1959)

Ma era comunque socievole.

But he was still sociable.

— Still Life (2006)

Ma era grazioso.

But he was cute.

Ma era lei quella che piangeva.

But she was the one who was crying.

Ma era pericolosa.

But she was dangerous.

— Thunderbolts* (2025)

Ma era questa la vera illusione.

But this was the real illusion.

— L'illusione perfetta - Now You See Me: Now You Don't (2025)

Ma era talmente cane, che tutte le sere si faceva fischiare.

But he was such a bad dog that every evening he had hisses whistled at.

— Effetto notte (1973)

L'ho lasciato in Pakistan, ma era carino.

I left it in Pakistan, but it was cute.

— Queen (2014)

Chris non era stato proprio un amico, ma era una persona che rispettavo.

Chris hadn’t exactly been a friend, but he was someone I respected.

Ma era una femmina.

But it was a female.

— Dangal (2016)

Ma era carina.

But she was cute.

— Quei bravi ragazzi (1990)

Era lì, ma era un cadavere.

It was there, but it was a corpse.

— Psyco (1960)

Avrei voluto parlartene prima ma era un'informazione confidenziale.

I would have liked to tell you about it sooner, but it was confidential information.

— Atlantis - L'impero perduto (2001)

Ma era il mio relatore.

But he was my supervisor.

— Sorry, Baby (2025)

Tom provò ad aprire la porta, ma era chiusa a chiave.

Tom tried to open the door, but it was locked.

Ma era sei mesi fa!

But that was six months ago!

— Il segreto dei suoi occhi (2009)

Ma era tardi.

But it was late.

— Star Trek II - L'ira di Khan (1982)

Ma era un sogno bellissimo.

But it was a beautiful dream.

— Tempo d'estate (1955)

Ma era completamente carico.

But it was fully loaded.

— I morti non muoiono (2019)

Ma era gioia anche quella.

But that was joy too.

Ma era inevitabile.

But it was inevitable.

— Parla con lei (2002)

Ho mentito, ma era evidente.

I lied, but it was obvious.

— Crimini e misfatti (1989)

Ma era peggio di così.

But it was worse than this.

— Together (2025)

Ho sentito il messaggio e sono corso a dirtelo, ma era tardi.

I heard the message and ran to tell you, but it was late.

— Parla con lei (2002)

Tom ha cercato di aprire il cassetto, ma era bloccato.

Tom tried to open the drawer, but it was jammed.

Ma era qualcosa di peggio.

But it was something worse.

— I guardiani della notte (2004)

Ma era un capolavoro assoluto!

But it was an absolute masterpiece!

— La grande bellezza (2013)

Dovete scusarmi, ma era la portiera.

You'll have to excuse me, but it was the door.

— Una giornata particolare (1977)

Ma era all'antica.

But it was old-fashioned.

— Bullet Train (2022)

Ma era il mio destino e anche il loro quando mi trovarono.

But it was my fate and theirs too when they found me.

— Carandiru (2003)

Mia madre non era un maschio, ma era un genio.

My mother was not a male, but she was a genius.

— Una giornata particolare (1977)

Ho provato a fermare la locomotiva, ma era troppo tardi!

I tried to stop the locomotive, but it was too late!

— Il labirinto del fauno (2006)

Ma era più che sufficiente per noi.

But it was more than enough for us.

— The Orphanage (2007)

Non per nascita, ma era di famiglia.

Not by birth, but they were family.

— Mystic River (2003)

Ma era tanto preoccupata per il tuo futuro.

But she was so worried about your future.

— Viaggio a Tokyo (1953)

Senna era un pò crudele in proposito, ma era in parte vero che.

Senna was a little cruel about it, but it was partly true.

— Senna (2010)