What does it mean word for word?
The word piano in this context means 'slowly', though it can also mean 'softly' or 'flat' depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
While andare piano is the infinitive form used to express the concept of the action in general, other forms are used to give direct commands. For example, Vai piano and Vada piano are imperatives used to tell someone to go slowly, while the repetition Piano, piano is an informal way to emphasize slowing down.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase andare piano uses the infinitive form of the verb andare. When giving a command to a single person, you would use the imperative forms such as Vai piano for informal situations or Vada piano for formal situations.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /anˈda.re ˈpja.no/. It consists of 5 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word piano is also the name of the keyboard instrument, because its full name pianoforte means 'soft-loud', referring to the player's ability to control volume.
- If you are walking through a crowded Italian market and someone shouts Piano!, they are not telling you to walk slowly, but are warning you to 'Watch out!' or 'Mind your step!' to avoid a collision.
- In Italian, piano can mean 'slowly', 'softly' or 'floor' as in the level of a building.
Examples in context
- Ragazzi, andiamo piano! Non vogliamo farci male durante questa escursione.Guys, let's go slowly! We don't want to get hurt during this hike.
- Vai piano!Go slowly!
- Dobbiamo andare piano per non fare incidenti.We must go slowly to avoid accidents.
- Puoi andare piano? Sto camminando troppo velocemente.Can you go slowly? I am walking too fast.
- L'auto deve andare piano in questa zona.The car must go slowly in this area.
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are walking through a crowded market.
- ChiaraAlessandro, per favore, possiamo andare piano?Alessandro, please, can we go slowly?
- AlessandroHai ragione, c'è troppa gente qui.You are right, there are too many people here.
- ChiaraSì, vorrei guardare bene le bancarelle.Yes, I would like to look at the stalls carefully.
- AlessandroVa bene, andiamo piano allora.Okay, let's go slowly then.
