più piano
/ˈpju ˈpja.no/word by word
The English phrase "slower" is translated into Italian as più piano.
Più piano is used to describe something moving or happening at a lower speed. Because the phrase is polysemous, it can also mean "softer" in terms of volume or loudness depending on the context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of più, meaning "more" and piano, meaning "slowly" or "softly".
Which one should you use?
While più piano is very common in spoken Italian to mean "slower", più lentamente is a more precise adverbial form used to describe the speed of an action. Additionally, meno veloce means "less quickly".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈpju ˈpja.no/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word piano in più piano shares the same root as the musical instrument 'piano'. The instrument's full name is 'pianoforte' because it can be played both 'softly' piano and 'strongly' forte.
- The word piano can also refer to a 'floor' in a building or a 'piano' musical instrument, showing how one word covers vastly different concepts in Italian.
- In Italian, the phrase piano piano is often used to mean 'step by step' or 'gradually' rather than just 'slowly'. It suggests a cautious and patient approach to a task.
Examples in context
- Potresti parlare un po' più piano?Could you please speak a little slower?This sentence is useful for asking someone to speak a little slower using più piano.Tatoeba #670720 by Guybrush88, translation #670503 by CK
- Potrebbe parlare più lentamente, per favore?Could you speak more slowly, please?
- Ti prego, guida con più calma!Please, drive more slowly!
- Senti, potresti camminare più piano?Listen, could you walk more slowly?
- Basta! Guidi sempre troppo veloce. Dovresti andare meno veloce!Enough! You always drive too fast. You should go slower!
- Cammina un po' più piano, per favore.Walk a little slower, please.
- Il treno oggi viaggia più piano del solito.The train is traveling slower than usual today.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are walking through a crowded park.
- GiuliaLorenzo, vai troppo veloce!Lorenzo, you are going too fast!
- LorenzoScusa, andrò più piano.Sorry, I will go slower.
- GiuliaGrazie, così riesco a seguirti.Thanks, that way I can keep up with you.
- LorenzoVa bene, adesso rallento.Alright, I am slowing down now.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (più, piano) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
