Bedeutung
Requesting clearer speech.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Italy, volume control is a sign of 'educazione' (good breeding). While outdoor markets are loud, indoor public spaces like 'uffici postali' (post offices) or 'banche' (banks) expect a 'piano' volume. Italy is full of historic churches. Even if you aren't religious, speaking 'piano' or 'sottovoce' is a strict requirement for tourists out of respect for the art and the worshippers. The word 'piano' is one of Italy's greatest linguistic exports. Because of the invention of the pianoforte in Florence, the whole world uses this Italian word to mean 'softly'. In Southern Italy, people are often perceived as speaking louder and faster. You might find yourself saying 'parli piano' more often in Naples than in Milan!
The 'Più' Trick
Always add 'più' (more) to sound more natural: 'Può parlare più piano?' sounds better than 'Può parlare piano?'
Don't say 'Piani'
Even if you are talking to a group, 'piano' stays 'piano'. Don't say 'Parlate piani!'
Bedeutung
Requesting clearer speech.
The 'Più' Trick
Always add 'più' (more) to sound more natural: 'Può parlare più piano?' sounds better than 'Può parlare piano?'
Don't say 'Piani'
Even if you are talking to a group, 'piano' stays 'piano'. Don't say 'Parlate piani!'
Hand Gestures
When saying 'parli piano', Italians often make a 'calm down' gesture with palms facing the floor, moving slightly up and down.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'piano' or 'parlare'.
Per favore, non gridare! _______ piano.
Since the sentence uses 'non gridare' (informal imperative), the answer should also be the informal imperative 'Parla'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to ask a stranger to slow down?
You are talking to a local in Rome and they are too fast.
Using 'Può' (formal can) and 'per favore' (please) is the standard polite way to make a request to a stranger.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are in a library and your friend is on the phone.
In a library, you need to speak softly (piano).
Complete the dialogue.
A: Scusi, dov'è il Colosseo? B: [Speaks very fast Italian] A: Mi scusi, non capisco. _______?
This is the most natural and polite way to ask for clarification in a travel context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
The Two Faces of 'Piano'
Volume (Softly)
- • Library
- • Church
- • Secrets
Speed (Slowly)
- • Learning
- • Directions
- • Explanations
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenPer favore, non gridare! _______ piano.
Since the sentence uses 'non gridare' (informal imperative), the answer should also be the informal imperative 'Parla'.
You are talking to a local in Rome and they are too fast.
Using 'Può' (formal can) and 'per favore' (please) is the standard polite way to make a request to a stranger.
Situation: You are in a library and your friend is on the phone.
In a library, you need to speak softly (piano).
A: Scusi, dov'è il Colosseo? B: [Speaks very fast Italian] A: Mi scusi, non capisco. _______?
This is the most natural and polite way to ask for clarification in a travel context.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIn the context of speaking, yes, it can mean slowly. But in other contexts, it usually means 'softly' or 'quietly'.
Yes, 'Prendila con piano' or 'Va' piano' can mean 'take it easy' or 'go slow'.
It depends on the tone. To a stranger, use 'Può parlare più piano'. To a friend, 'Parla piano' is perfectly fine.
'Piano' is more versatile (volume and speed), while 'lentamente' is only for speed.
You say 'Parla più forte' or 'Alza la voce'.
It can be both, but in 'parli piano', it functions as an adverb.
Doubling the word ('piano piano') means 'very slowly' or 'step by step'.
Yes, 'Vai piano!' means 'Drive slowly!'
'Sottovoce' is specifically for whispering or very low volume, not speed.
The formal version is 'Parli piano' (subjunctive/imperative) or 'Può parlare piano'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
sottovoce
synonymunder the voice / in a whisper
lentamente
similarslowly
adagio
similarat ease / slowly
parlare forte
contrastto speak loudly
andare piano
builds onto go slowly / to take it easy
