molto bene
/ˈmol.to ˈbɛ.ne/word by word
molto bene is the Italian phrase for "very well".
This expression is used to say that something is very good or is going well. You can use molto bene as a standalone response to the question Come va? (How is it going?) to indicate that things are going very well.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb molto (very/much) and the adverb bene (well).
Which one should you use?
Use the adverb molto bene to describe how an action is performed, but use the adjective molto buono to describe the quality of a thing like food.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmol.to ˈbɛ.ne/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The word molto is surprisingly related to the concept of something being 'crumbled' or 'crumpled'. It stems from a Proto-Indo-European root that describes a mass of something broken into many small pieces.
- In Italian music notation, molto is used as a modifier to intensify a tempo or mood, such as molto allegro meaning 'very fast'.
- In certain Italian regions, saying bene can be used ironically to mean the opposite, usually paired with a sigh or a shrug.
Examples in context
- Hai svolto il tuo compito benissimo!You've done your task very well!
- La tua interpretazione del brano è andata a meraviglia!Your performance of the piece went marvelously!
- L'esame è andato molto bene.The exam went very well.
- Tutto procede molto bene.Everything is going very well.
Example conversation
Matteo and Giulia are discussing how a new project is progressing.
- MatteoCome va il tuo nuovo lavoro, Giulia?How is your new job going, Giulia?
- GiuliaVa molto bene, grazie!It is going very well, thanks!
- MatteoSono felice di sentirlo.I am happy to hear it.
- GiuliaAnche io, Matteo.Me too, Matteo.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (molto, bene) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bene, molto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
