dolcemente
/dol.t͡ʃeˈmen.te/
The English phrase "softly" is translated into Italian as dolcemente.
dolcemente is used to describe actions performed with tenderness, gentleness or a soothing quality. It describes something done in a way that is sweet or gentle rather than just focusing on a low volume.
Meaning: not loudly, inaudible (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The adverb dolcemente is derived from the adjective dolce (sweet) plus the suffix -mente, which is the equivalent of the English suffix -ly.
Which one should you use?
While dolcemente implies a gentle, sweet or tender quality, the word piano is the standard adverb used when you simply mean "quietly" or "at a low volume".
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable: /dol.tʃeˈmen.te/.
Did you know?
- The adverb piano can also mean 'slowly' in certain contexts, meaning a person might tell you to walk piano to be both soft-footed and slow.
- While dolcemente describes a quality, the word piano is used for volume and is also the root of the English 'piano' because the instrument's full name is 'pianoforte', meaning 'soft-loud'.
- The root word dolce is used in the names of many desserts, but it can also describe a 'soft' or 'mellow' wine, referring to the taste rather than a physical texture.
Examples in context
- Piove dolcemente sulla città.It rains softly on the city.This sentence uses dolcemente to describe rain falling on a city.Tatoeba #11554176 by Guybrush88, translation #679990 by Scott
- Tom sussurrò dolcemente a Mary.Tom whispered softly to Mary.This sentence uses dolcemente to describe how someone whispered.Tatoeba #2959927 by Guybrush88, translation #2958704 by CK
- Lui continuò a parlare dolcemente, calmando le sue paure.He continued to speak softly, calming her fears.This sentence uses dolcemente to describe a way of speaking that calms fears.Tatoeba #13259703 by Nuel, translation #13259701 by Nuel
- Le vorrei chiedere dolcemente di abbassare la voce, per favore.I kindly ask you to lower your voice, please.
- Parla piano piano, altrimenti ci sentono!Speak softly, or else they will hear us!
- Puoi dirmi quello che vuoi con voce sommessa?Can you tell me what you want in a hushed voice?
- Per favore, parla piano, non voglio essere disturbato.Please, speak softly, I don't want to be disturbed.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Sofia are in a library.
- LorenzoPer favore, parla più dolcemente.Please, speak more softly.
- SofiaScusa, non volevo disturbare nessuno.Sorry, I didn't want to disturb anyone.
- LorenzoIl bibliotecario ci guarda male.The librarian is looking at us poorly.
- SofiaVa bene, ora sussurro dolcemente.Alright, now I will whisper softly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dolcemente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
