Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine singular form is massa and the plural form is masse. To function as an adjective, use the phrase di massa after the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈmas.sa/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
When do people say it?
In a religious context, the word for 'The Mass' is La Messa. Formal ways to refer to it include La Messa sta per cominciare (The Mass is about to begin), Grazie per la Messa (Thank you for the Mass) and Alla prossima Messa (Until the next Mass). In more informal settings, you might hear Pronti per la Messa? (Ready for Mass?) or Ci vediamo alla prossima Messa (See you at the next Mass). Common liturgical phrases include Amen (Amen) and E con il tuo spirito (And with your spirit).
Did you know?
- The scientific term massa actually shares its roots with the ancient Greek word for 'bread', specifically a dough or a lump of flour.
- In Italian, la massa is often used as a derogatory term to describe the 'unthinking masses' or the general public as opposed to an intellectual elite.
- The word massa is used in Italian baking to describe the raw batter or mixture of ingredients before it is baked in the oven.
Examples in context
- Lo chiamarono omicidio di massa.They called it mass murder.This sentence uses massa to describe mass murder.Tatoeba #5154027 by Guybrush88, translation #802186 by Source_VOA
- Una nuvola è una massa di vapore.A cloud is a mass of vapor.This sentence uses massa to describe a mass of vapor.Tatoeba #375030 by Pharamp, translation #429824 by AlanF_US
- La produzione di massa è iniziata.The mass production has started.This sentence uses massa to describe mass production.Tatoeba #13718324 by Guybrush88, translation #9573203 by shekitten
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two physics students are discussing an experiment in a lab.
- SofiaHai misurato la massa del campione?Did you measure the mass of the sample?
- FrancescoSì, la massa è di dieci grammi.Yes, the mass is ten grams.
- SofiaÈ una massa molto piccola per questo test.It is a very small mass for this test.
- FrancescoLo so, ma i dati sono corretti.I know, but the data is correct.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mass” translations and entries massa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries massa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
