assai bonu
The Sicilian phrase for "very good" is assai bonu.
assai bonu is used to describe something of high quality or a taste that is pleasing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of assai meaning "very" or "much" and bonu meaning "good".
Which one should you use?
In many Sicilian dialects, the adverb assai can be placed after the adjective bonu to achieve the same meaning, using bonu assai. Additionally, the informal expression Tantu bonu can be used to mean "so good".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use assai bona for feminine nouns, assai boni for plural masculine nouns and assai bone for plural feminine nouns.
Did you know?
- In Sicilian, the word bonu can be used as a coded way to describe a man as handsome or attractive, rather than just being a 'good' person.
- The word assai comes from the Late Latin phrase ad satis, which literally means 'to enough'.
- While assai bonu is the standard way to say 'very good', a speaker might use the word strazzamente to express that something is 'extremely' good.
Examples in context
- Molto bono, 'un c'è nenti di megghiu!Very good, there is nothing better!
- Tantu bonu, tra!So good, man!
- Gran bellu!Very good!
- Stu pisci è assai bonu.This fish is very good.
- U travagghiu tò è assai bonu.Your work is very good.
- Chistu cafè è assai bonu.This coffee is very good.
Example conversation
Giulia and Calogero are eating dinner together.
- GiuliaProva stu pisci, è assai bonu!Try this fish, it is very good!
- CalogeroHai ragioni, u sapa è perfettu.You are right, the flavor is perfect.
- GiuliaU cucinò a mia matri.My mother cooked it.
- CalogeroBrava, è veru assai bonu.Well done, it really is very good.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries assai, bonu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
