quasi pronto
/ˈkwa.zi ˈpron.to/word by word
The English phrase "almost ready" is expressed in Italian as quasi pronto.
quasi pronto is used to say that someone or something is nearly prepared or finished. If you want to emphasize that something is specifically about to be ready, you might instead use Sta per essere pronto for masculine subjects or Sta per essere pronta for feminine subjects.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb quasi (almost) and the adjective pronto (ready).
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective pronto must agree in gender and number with the subject it describes. Use quasi pronta if the subject is a woman or a feminine noun. For a group of men or a mixed group of men and women, use quasi pronti. If the subject is a group consisting only of women or feminine nouns, use quasi pronte.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈkwa.zi ˈpron.to/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word pronto is also the standard way to answer the telephone, effectively meaning 'ready' or 'prepared' to take the call.
- The word pronto is derived from the Latin prōmptus, which originally meant 'brought forward' or 'taken out'. This suggests that being 'ready' was historically viewed as being physically placed in a position to be used.
- The word pronto can describe a person's intelligence, such as in the phrase pronto di mente, meaning 'quick-witted'. In this context, it describes a mental speed rather than a state of preparation.
Examples in context
- Lei è quasi pronto?Are you almost ready?This sentence uses quasi pronto to ask if someone is almost ready.Tatoeba #2028103 by Guybrush88, translation #1886358 by CK
- Tom è quasi pronto.Tom is almost ready.This sentence uses quasi pronto to state that Tom is almost ready.Tatoeba #5165545 by Guybrush88, translation #2647508 by CK
- Non è quasi pronto?Aren't you almost ready?This sentence uses quasi pronto to ask a negative question about being almost ready.Tatoeba #6887525 by Guybrush88, translation #6093973 by CK
- Siamo quasi pronti per la presentazione.We are almost ready for the presentation.
- Il rapporto annuale è quasi finito.The annual report is almost ready.
- Ci vediamo fra dieci minuti, sono quasi pronto/pronta.See you in ten minutes, I'm almost ready.
- La cena sta per essere pronta.Dinner is almost ready.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Francesco are preparing to leave the house.
- GiuliaFrancesco, sei quasi pronto?Francesco, are you almost ready?
- FrancescoSì, sono quasi pronto.Yes, I am almost ready.
- GiuliaPrendiamo subito l'autobus.Let's take the bus right away.
- FrancescoAspetta un secondo, per favore.Wait a second, please.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (quasi, pronto) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pronto, quasi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
