Italian Vocabulary

noun a movement or passage marked to be performed adagio in music, typically slow and graceful

adverb in a slow tempo or style

• The ballet dancers gracefully performed the adagio portion of the routine.
• I love how the music slows down during the adagio part of the song.
• The adagio section of the movie was so boring, I almost fell asleep.
• Life sometimes feels like an adagio, slow and deliberate, but still moving forward.

noun a singing voice or an instrument that has a range lower than a soprano but higher than a tenor

adjective relating to the highest male voice or the lowest female voice

• The alto section of the choir performed beautifully during the concert.
• I love listening to the alto part in this song, it's so catchy!
• That alto solo was fire, she really nailed it!
• Her voice soared to alto heights, reaching deep into our emotions.

noun a main division of a long poem

• The epic poem is divided into multiple cantos, each telling a different part of the story.
• I can't wait to read the next canto of the poem, it's getting really interesting!
• The rapper's new track has a sick canto that everyone is talking about.
• Each canto of life presents its own challenges and lessons to be learned.

noun a musical direction meaning 'sweetly' or 'softly'

adjective used to describe something sweet or soft in music or food

• The dolce melody of the violin filled the concert hall.
• I can't resist a slice of that dolce cake, it's too delicious.
• Let's grab some dolce gelato after dinner.
• She had a dolce smile that could brighten anyone's day.

noun a female given name

• Donna is a highly respected attorney in the legal community.
• I heard Donna is throwing a party next weekend.
• Donna is such a boss, she always gets things done.
• Her voice was like music to my ears, like Donna's soothing melody.

noun a leader or ruler, especially one with absolute power

verb to lead or guide

• The duce of the company made an important announcement during the shareholders meeting.
• Hey, did you hear what the duce said about the new project?
• I can't believe that duce is always micromanaging everything.
• In chess, the duce is the most powerful piece on the board.

noun a musical term indicating a slow tempo or pace

adverb used to describe a slow and stately manner in music

• The largo corridor stretched on for what seemed like miles.
• The largo hallway was perfect for rollerblading.
• That largo room is lit!
• His love for her was as wide and deep as a largo river.

noun A large covered porch or veranda.

• The elegant piazza was lined with historic buildings and statues.
• Let's meet at the piazza for a coffee and chat.
• The piazza is the perfect spot to chill and people-watch.
• The bustling piazza symbolized the heart of the city.

noun a small flute, typically used in orchestras and marching bands

• The piccolo is a small, high-pitched instrument commonly used in orchestras.
• I love how the piccolo adds a bright, cheerful sound to the music.
• That piccolo player really knows how to hit those high notes!
• Her voice was like a piccolo, piercing through the silence with its clarity.

noun a title or form of address used of or to an Italian-speaking married woman, corresponding to Mrs. in English

• The signora graciously greeted all the guests at the event.
• The signora is always so kind to everyone in the neighborhood.
• Hey, did you see that signora with the fancy hat?
• She was the signora of the group, always leading with grace and authority.

noun a syllable used in solfège to represent the sixth note of a major scale

adjective pertaining to the sixth note of a major scale

• El profesor explicó la teoría de la relatividad de manera detallada.
• Vamos a la playa mañana.
• Esa fiesta estuvo de la la la.
• La vida es como una obra de teatro, con diferentes actos y escenas.

noun a traditional Malay dance performed during weddings and other festive occasions

• The adag is a traditional dance form that originated in the Philippines.
• I heard that the adag is really popular at weddings in our town.
• Let's hit the dance floor and show off our adag moves!
• The adag of life moves at its own pace, sometimes slow and sometimes fast.