Signification
Gradually.
Contexte culturel
The phrase reflects the 'Piano Piano' lifestyle, where rushing is seen as a lack of elegance and quality. Italian is the universal language of music. 'A poco a poco' is used by musicians worldwide to denote gradual transitions. In workshops (botteghe), masters teach apprentices that mastery comes 'a poco a poco', emphasizing the value of time. In the South, the phrase is often accompanied by a hand gesture—rubbing the thumb against the fingers—to show small increments.
The Rhythm Rule
Say it with a rhythm: DA-da-da DA-da-da. It helps you remember the two 'a's.
Quantity vs. Manner
Don't use it to ask for a small amount of food. That's 'un po' or 'un poco'.
Signification
Gradually.
The Rhythm Rule
Say it with a rhythm: DA-da-da DA-da-da. It helps you remember the two 'a's.
Quantity vs. Manner
Don't use it to ask for a small amount of food. That's 'un po' or 'un poco'.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct phrase.
Non avere fretta, imparerai la ricetta ___.
The sentence means 'Don't be in a hurry, you will learn the recipe gradually.'
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the natural Italian sentence:
The standard idiom is 'a poco a poco'.
Match the situation to the use of 'a poco a poco'.
You are adding water to flour to make bread dough.
In cooking, ingredients are often added gradually to control the texture.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'Come va il tuo nuovo lavoro?' B: 'Bene, sto capendo tutto ___.'
B is saying they are understanding everything bit by bit.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'a poco a poco'
Learning
- • Languages
- • Instruments
- • Rules
Nature
- • Growth
- • Weather
- • Seasons
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNon avere fretta, imparerai la ricetta ___.
The sentence means 'Don't be in a hurry, you will learn the recipe gradually.'
Choose the natural Italian sentence:
The standard idiom is 'a poco a poco'.
You are adding water to flour to make bread dough.
In cooking, ingredients are often added gradually to control the texture.
A: 'Come va il tuo nuovo lavoro?' B: 'Bene, sto capendo tutto ___.'
B is saying they are understanding everything bit by bit.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsIt is understood and sometimes used in informal speech, but 'a poco a poco' is the grammatically complete and more elegant form.
Yes! It works for any gradual change, positive or negative. 'La situazione peggiora a poco a poco' (The situation is getting worse bit by bit).
'Pian piano' is slightly more informal and often implies a sense of caution or gentleness, whereas 'a poco a poco' is more neutral.
Expressions liées
pian piano
synonymSlowly and gently.
gradualmente
synonymGradually.
passo dopo passo
similarStep by step.
mano a mano
similarAs things progress.
