prossimo
/ˈprɔs.si.mo/
The Italian word for next is prossimo.
prossimo is used to describe something in a time, place or sequence that is closest or follows another. When you want to use it as a noun to mean 'the next person/thing in line', it is typically preceded by the definite article il, as in il prossimo.
Meaning: In a time, place or sequence closest or following (adv)
Which one should you use?
While prossimo can mean 'next' in a sequence, the word vicino is more commonly used to describe physical proximity (being 'near' something).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word must agree with the noun it modifies. Use prossima for feminine singular nouns like settimana (week), prossimi for masculine plural nouns like anni (years) and prossime for feminine plural nouns like vacanze (holidays).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈprɔs.si.mo/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word prossimo is used in the phrase ama il tuo prossimo, meaning 'love your neighbor'. In this religious and moral context, it refers to any other human being rather than someone living in the house next door.
- In Italian, saying la prossima volta ('next time') is often used as a polite, non-committal way to decline an invitation without saying 'no' directly.
- In Italian, if you say you are 'prossimo a' something, you are not just saying you are 'next to' it, but that you are 'extremely close' to achieving or experiencing it.
Examples in context
- Tom è il prossimo.Tom is next.This sentence shows how to identify the next person in a sequence using prossimo.Tatoeba #2524566 by Guybrush88, translation #2236788 by CK
- È il prossimo, vero?He's next, isn't he?This example uses prossimo to confirm who is next in line.Tatoeba #8694349 by Guybrush88, translation #8526236 by CH
- Andrò il mese prossimo.I'll go next month.This sentence demonstrates using prossimo to refer to the next month.Tatoeba #2566642 by Guybrush88, translation #2548777 by CK
- Il prossimo treno arriva alle 9The next train arrives at 9
- La prossima settimana sarò in vacanzaNext week, I will be on vacation
- Vi preghiamo di leggere attentamente le istruzioni nel paragrafo seguentePlease read the instructions carefully in the following paragraph
- Ci vediamo al parco domani, okay? Dopo possiamo andare a mangiare una pizza!Let's meet at the park tomorrow, okay? We can grab a pizza afterwards!
- Terminerò questo compito e subito dopo andrò a fare una passeggiataI will finish this task, and right after, I'll go for a walk
- 764 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are planning a trip.
- MartinaCi vediamo l'anno prossimo.I will see you next year.
- FrancescoSì, non vedo l'ora!Yes, I can't wait!
- MartinaQual è il prossimo passo?What is the next step?
- FrancescoDobbiamo prenotare il volo.We need to book the flight.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry prossimo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
