Which one should you use?
The form you choose depends on the gender and number of the people you are praising. Use brava specifically for a single female performer to ensure grammatical agreement. For a single male, use bravo and for a group of women, use brave. If you are praising a group of men or a mixed-gender group, use bravi. To emphasize your praise even further, you can use the heightened form Bravissima for a female.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes to agree with the subject being praised: bravo is used for a masculine singular subject, brava for a feminine singular subject, bravi for a masculine plural or mixed-gender plural subject and brave for a feminine plural subject.
When do people say it?
In many Italian performance settings, such as a theater or an opera house, shouting brava! is a standard way for the audience to show their appreciation for a female performer's talent.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word brava can be used sarcastically to describe a woman who has been mischievous or 'clever' in a bad way.
- In certain Italian regions, the term brava can be used colloquially to describe a woman who is a 'tough cookie' or someone who is quite cunning.
- While brava usually means talented, parents often use it to tell a daughter she is 'good' in the sense of being virtuous or well-behaved.
Examples in context
- Brava per aver superato l'esame!Well done for passing the exam!
- Brava! Hai cantato benissimo.Brava! You sang very well.
- Sei stata bravissima, brava!You were excellent, brava!
- Brava, il tuo discorso è stato perfetto.Brava, your speech was perfect.
Example conversation
Matteo watches Martina finish a piano piece.
- MartinaEcco, ho finito!There, I'm finished!
- MatteoBrava, Martina! Era bellissimo.Well done, Martina! It was beautiful.
- MartinaGrazie mille, Matteo!Thank you so much, Matteo!
- MatteoDi nulla, sei stata fantastica.You're welcome, you were fantastic.
