abbastanza
/ab.basˈtan.t͡sa/
The English phrase "enough" is translated into Italian as abbastanza.
abbastanza can be used as a determiner to mean "sufficient" or as a pronoun to refer to a sufficient amount or number. It also functions as an adverb meaning "sufficiently". In many contexts, it is frequently used to mean "quite" or "fairly", such as in the phrase è abbastanza buono (it is quite good). If you want to express frustration or that you have reached a limit, such as "I've had enough of this!", Italians typically use the idiomatic construction ne ho abbastanza or ne ho abbastanza di…
Meaning: sufficient (det)
Which one should you use?
While abbastanza is a standard way to say "enough", the word Basta is another very common way to say "enough" in Italian.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adverb, abbastanza is invariable, meaning it does not change its form to match gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ab.basˈtan.tsa/. It has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- While abbastanza means 'enough', the related word basta is often accompanied by a sharp hand gesture, such as a flick of the wrist or a palm push, to signal an immediate stop.
- The word abbastanza is actually a combination of the preposition a and the noun bastanza, which was a historical form of 'sufficiency'.
- When Italians use ne ho abbastanza to express frustration, the small word ne is crucial because it refers back to the specific thing they have had too much of.
Examples in context
- Io ne ho abbastanza!I have enough!This sentence shows how to express that you have had enough using abbastanza.Tatoeba #5220913 by Guybrush88, translation #5265440 by pititnatole
- Io ne ho abbastanza.I have enough.This sentence is an example of using abbastanza to state that one has enough.Tatoeba #6571546 by Guybrush88, translation #4061418 by AlanF_US
- È abbastanza per ora.That's enough for now.This sentence demonstrates using abbastanza to say that something is enough for the current time.Tatoeba #5402856 by Guybrush88, translation #241744 by CK
- Non voglio più discutere. Basta!I don't want to argue anymore. Enough!
- È sufficienteIt's enough/sufficient.
- 924 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are preparing for a picnic.
- MatteoAbbiamo abbastanza pane per il pranzo?Do we have enough bread for lunch?
- MartinaSì, abbiamo abbastanza pane e formaggio.Yes, we have enough bread and cheese.
- MatteoE per bere, Martina?And to drink, Martina?
- MartinaHo comprato abbastanza acqua ieri.I bought enough water yesterday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “enough” translations and entries abbastanza, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abbastanza, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
