At the A1 level, 'quasi' is introduced as a simple adverb meaning 'almost'. Students learn to use it with numbers (time, age, quantity) and simple adjectives. It is one of the first 'filler' words that helps students express that they are nearing a goal. For example, 'Ho quasi finito' (I've almost finished) is a crucial phrase for the classroom. At this stage, the focus is on its literal translation and its position before adjectives and nouns. It helps learners move beyond absolute statements ('I am 20') to more realistic ones ('I am almost 20').
At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'quasi' in more complex sentence structures, including compound tenses like the 'passato prossimo'. They learn that 'quasi' usually sits between the auxiliary and the participle ('Ho quasi mangiato'). They also encounter 'quasi mai' (almost never) and 'quasi sempre' (almost always), which are essential for describing daily routines and frequency. The distinction between 'quasi' and 'circa' starts to become important here to ensure accuracy in descriptions of time and quantity.
At the B1 level, students are introduced to the idiomatic 'quasi quasi'. This is a major step in sounding more 'native'. They learn to use it to express tentative decisions ('Quasi quasi vado a piedi'). B1 learners also start to use 'quasi' to modify more abstract concepts, such as feelings or complex states ('Mi sento quasi offeso'). They understand its role in softening opinions and making their speech more nuanced and polite in social interactions.
At the B2 level, 'quasi' is used with greater precision and in more formal contexts. Learners understand its use in hypothetical 'as if' constructions (though 'come se' is more common, 'quasi' can appear in literary 'quasi a voler dire'). They also recognize its use in idiomatic expressions and can differentiate it from more formal synonyms like 'pressappoco'. B2 students use 'quasi' to create rhetorical effects, such as understatement or irony, and can comfortably place it within complex sentence structures involving subclauses.
At the C1 level, the learner explores the subtle stylistic uses of 'quasi'. They can use it to create precise shades of meaning in professional or academic writing. They might use it to indicate a limit in a philosophical or scientific sense. They are also aware of its use in classic Italian literature, where it might have slightly different placements or nuances. C1 speakers use 'quasi' effortlessly to modulate the tone of their speech, ensuring it is perfectly suited to the register of the conversation.
At the C2 level, 'quasi' is a tool for stylistic mastery. The speaker understands its historical roots and its varied functions across different dialects and regional variations of Italian (though sticking to the standard). They can analyze its use in complex poetry or dense prose where it might function as a subtle pivot point for a metaphor. At this level, the use of 'quasi' is completely intuitive, serving both as a functional adverb and a stylistic device to achieve perfect linguistic flow and precision.

quasi 30秒で

  • Quasi means 'almost' or 'nearly' in English.
  • It is placed before the word it modifies (e.g., quasi pronto).
  • In compound tenses, it goes between the auxiliary and the participle.
  • The phrase 'quasi quasi' means 'I'm thinking of doing something'.
The Italian adverb quasi is a fundamental pillar of daily conversation, functioning primarily as a marker of approximation, incompletion, or a state of being very close to a threshold without quite reaching it. In its most literal sense, it translates to the English 'almost' or 'nearly'. However, its utility in Italian extends far beyond a simple mathematical approximation. It serves as a linguistic buffer that softens statements, expresses hesitation, or provides a sense of progress towards a goal. When an Italian says

Ho quasi finito il mio lavoro.

they are indicating that while the task is not complete, the remaining effort is negligible. This word is ubiquitous because it allows speakers to be precise about their lack of precision.
Temporal Use
It is frequently used with time: 'Sono quasi le otto' (It is almost eight o'clock). Here, it implies it might be 7:55 or 7:58.
Quantitative Use
In measurements, it indicates a value slightly below the stated amount: 'Pesa quasi un chilo' (It weighs nearly a kilogram).
Beyond these, 'quasi' takes on a modal role in expressions like quasi quasi, which conveys a sudden, tentative desire or a 'might just' feeling. For example, 'Quasi quasi vado al mare' suggests the speaker just had the thought and is considering it. Culturally, using 'quasi' is a way to manage expectations. If you tell a friend you are

Sono quasi arrivato!

you might still be five minutes away, but you are signaling that you are in the final stage of your journey. It is also used in negative constructions like quasi mai (hardly ever) and quasi niente (hardly anything), which are essential for describing habits and quantities.
Emotional Nuance
It can express irony or understatement, such as saying someone is 'quasi intelligente' to imply they are not quite meeting the mark.
In academic or formal contexts, it remains prevalent to indicate limits in mathematics or logic. Understanding 'quasi' is about understanding the Italian comfort with the 'not-quite-yet' and the 'very-nearly-so'. It bridges the gap between the absolute and the actual reality of daily life.
Using quasi correctly requires attention to its placement, which is usually immediately before the word or phrase it modifies. Whether it is an adjective, a verb, a noun, or another adverb, 'quasi' acts as a preceding modifier to restrict the scope of the following term. For instance, when modifying a verb in a compound tense, it typically sits between the auxiliary verb and the past participle:

Ho quasi capito tutto.

(I have almost understood everything). This placement emphasizes that the action of understanding is nearing completion.
With Adjectives
When paired with adjectives, it indicates a degree: 'È quasi pronto' (It is almost ready). This is straightforward and mirrors English usage perfectly.
With Numbers and Quantities
It is vital to distinguish 'quasi' from 'circa'. While 'circa' means 'around' (could be more or less), 'quasi' specifically means 'just under' or 'approaching': 'C'erano quasi cento persone' (There were almost a hundred people—implying 95-99).
A unique grammatical feature is the doubled form quasi quasi. This functions as an adverbial phrase expressing a tentative intention or a whim.

Quasi quasi mi compro una macchina nuova.

This usage is very common in spoken Italian and adds a layer of spontaneity. When used with negative adverbs, it creates powerful nuances: quasi mai (almost never), quasi nessuno (almost nobody), and quasi niente (almost nothing). These are often used at the end of sentences for emphasis: 'Non mangio carne, quasi mai.' It can also be used as a standalone response to indicate 'Almost' or 'Close!' in a game or a guess.
Syntactic Flexibility
While usually preceding its target, in poetic or emphatic Italian, it can occasionally follow, though this is rare in modern standard speech. Stick to the 'quasi + word' pattern for 99% of situations.
By mastering 'quasi', you gain the ability to express degrees of certainty and completion that are essential for sounding like a native speaker.
You will hear quasi in virtually every setting in Italy, from the high-pressure environment of a business meeting to the relaxed atmosphere of a family dinner. In a professional context, it’s used to report progress:

Il progetto è quasi ultimato.

This provides a reassuring sense of being near the finish line. In the streets, you'll hear it in directions or time-keeping. If you ask someone for the time, they might glance at their watch and say 'Sono quasi le tre', saving themselves the trouble of being precise to the minute.
The Market and Shopping
Vendors use it to describe weights: 'È quasi un chilo, che faccio, lascio?' (It's almost a kilo, shall I leave it as is?). It's also used in sales: 'Quasi tutto a metà prezzo!'
Social Interactions
In social settings, 'quasi' is the king of the 'white lie' or the polite approximation. 'Siamo quasi lì' (We're almost there) is the classic response when a friend calls to see where you are, even if you just parked the car blocks away.
In sports commentary, you'll hear it constantly: 'Quasi gol!' (Almost a goal!) when a ball hits the post. In the kitchen, a chef might say the pasta is

quasi cotta

meaning it needs just one more minute to reach perfect al dente. Even in literature and news, it is used to qualify statements that cannot be absolute, such as 'quasi un miracolo' (almost a miracle). The word is so ingrained that it often loses its literal meaning and becomes a simple filler or a way to pace a sentence. If you watch Italian talk shows, pay attention to how often speakers use 'quasi' to refine their arguments or to transition between points. It is a word that reflects the Italian appreciation for the nuances of reality, where things are rarely 100% black or white, but often 'quasi' something.
While quasi seems simple, English speakers often stumble on its specific nuances and its distinction from other Italian adverbs of approximation. The most common error is the confusion between quasi and circa.
Quasi vs. Circa
'Quasi' means 'almost' (approaching from below). 'Circa' means 'about' or 'approximately' (could be slightly more or slightly less). If you say 'Ho quasi vent'anni', you are 18 or 19. If you say 'Ho circa vent'anni', you could be 21.
Another frequent mistake involves the placement of 'quasi' in compound tenses. Beginners often place it at the end of the sentence:

Ho finito quasi (Incorrect)

Instead, it should be

Ho quasi finito (Correct)

. Learners also struggle with the negative construction. In English, we say 'almost never'. In Italian, you must include the 'non' if 'quasi mai' follows the verb: 'Non vado quasi mai al cinema'. However, if you start with it, you can omit the 'non': 'Quasi mai vado al cinema' (though the first version is more common).
False Friends
Do not confuse 'quasi' with the Spanish 'quien' or other similar-sounding words in Romance languages. In Italian, 'quasi' is strictly an adverb of degree.
Another nuance is the use of 'quasi' with 'tutto' (everything). In English, we say 'almost everything'. In Italian, it is 'quasi tutto'. Some learners try to insert 'di' or other prepositions where they aren't needed. Keep it simple: 'Ho mangiato quasi tutto'. Finally, remember that 'quasi quasi' is a specific idiom. Using a single 'quasi' when you mean 'I'm thinking of doing X' will result in a sentence that feels incomplete or grammatically 'off' to a native ear. Mastering these distinctions will elevate your Italian from 'quasi' perfect to actually fluent.
To enrich your Italian vocabulary, it is helpful to know the synonyms and related terms that can replace or complement quasi depending on the context. While 'quasi' is the most versatile, other words offer more specific meanings.
Circa / All'incirca
These are best for mathematical or quantitative approximations where the value could be slightly higher or lower. 'Ci sono circa dieci persone' means there are roughly ten.
Pressappoco
This is a more formal or literary way of saying 'approximately'. It is often used in writing to avoid repeating 'quasi' or 'circa'.

La distanza è pressappoco di tre chilometri.

Quasi quasi
As mentioned, this doubled form is unique. It replaces 'I'm thinking about' or 'I might just'. There is no direct single-word synonym for this specific colloquial feeling.
If you want to say 'hardly', you can use a stento or appena. For example, 'Riesco a stento a vederlo' (I can hardly see it). These differ from 'quasi' because they focus on the difficulty of the action rather than the proximity to a limit. Another alternative for 'almost' in the sense of 'on the verge of' is sul punto di: 'Ero sul punto di uscire quando ha suonato il telefono' (I was on the point of leaving...). Using these alternatives makes your Italian sound more sophisticated and precise. While 'quasi' is your reliable multi-tool, knowing when to use 'pressappoco' or 'praticamente' shows a deeper grasp of the language's texture.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The word has remained virtually unchanged for over 2,000 years, from Classical Latin to modern Italian.

発音ガイド

UK /ˈkwaː.zi/
US /ˈkwɑː.zi/
The stress is on the first syllable: QUA-si.
韻が合う語
vasi stasi basi invasi enfasi frasi perifrasi oasi
よくある間違い
  • Pronouncing 'qu' as 'k' (like in French 'qui'). It must be 'kw'.
  • Pronouncing the 's' as a sharp 's' like 'sun'. In 'quasi', it is usually voiced like a 'z'.
  • Making the 'i' sound like 'eye'. It must be 'ee'.

難易度

読解 1/5

Very easy to recognize and understand in text.

ライティング 2/5

Requires correct placement in compound tenses.

スピーキング 2/5

Easy to use, but 'quasi quasi' takes practice for natural flow.

リスニング 1/5

Distinct sound, easy to hear in fast speech.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

finito pronto mai sempre tutto

次に学ぶ

circa proprio appena ancora già

上級

pressappoco all'incirca praticamente rasentare

知っておくべき文法

Position of adverbs in compound tenses

Ho quasi finito.

Double negative with 'mai' and 'niente'

Non vedo quasi niente.

Adverbs of approximation

Quasi vs Circa.

Invariability of adverbs

Quasi stays the same regardless of gender.

Colloquial doubling for intent

Quasi quasi...

レベル別の例文

1

Sono quasi le dieci.

It's almost ten o'clock.

'Quasi' precedes the time.

2

Ho quasi otto anni.

I'm almost eight years old.

Used for age approximation.

3

Il caffè è quasi pronto.

The coffee is almost ready.

Modifies the adjective 'pronto'.

4

Siamo quasi a casa.

We are almost at home.

Indicates proximity to a place.

5

Ho quasi finito il libro.

I've almost finished the book.

Used with 'finito'.

6

C'è quasi tutto.

Almost everything is there.

Modifies the pronoun 'tutto'.

7

È quasi mezzogiorno.

It is almost noon.

Temporal use.

8

Ho quasi fame.

I'm almost hungry.

Used with the noun 'fame' (to have hunger).

1

Non vado quasi mai in palestra.

I almost never go to the gym.

'Quasi mai' means 'almost never'.

2

Abbiamo quasi vinto la partita.

We almost won the match.

Positioned between auxiliary and participle.

3

Quasi nessuno è venuto alla festa.

Almost nobody came to the party.

'Quasi nessuno' means 'almost nobody'.

4

Fa quasi sempre bel tempo qui.

The weather is almost always good here.

'Quasi sempre' means 'almost always'.

5

Ho quasi perso le chiavi.

I almost lost my keys.

Indicates a near-miss event.

6

La torta è quasi finita.

The cake is almost finished.

Passive/stative use.

7

C'erano quasi cinquanta persone.

There were almost fifty people.

Approximation just below a number.

8

Ho quasi capito la lezione.

I almost understood the lesson.

Indicates partial understanding.

1

Quasi quasi vado a fare una passeggiata.

I might just go for a walk.

'Quasi quasi' expresses a tentative intention.

2

Mi sento quasi in colpa.

I feel almost guilty.

Modifies an adverbial phrase of feeling.

3

È quasi un'ora che ti aspetto.

I've been waiting for you for almost an hour.

Emphasis on duration.

4

Il film era quasi noioso.

The movie was almost boring.

Softens the adjective 'noioso'.

5

Quasi quasi mi iscrivo a quel corso.

I'm thinking of signing up for that course.

Spontaneous decision/desire.

6

Siamo quasi arrivati alla soluzione.

We have almost reached the solution.

Metaphorical arrival.

7

Lavora quasi dieci ore al giorno.

He works almost ten hours a day.

Approximation of frequency.

8

Non c'è quasi niente nel frigo.

There is almost nothing in the fridge.

'Quasi niente' means 'almost nothing'.

1

La sua reazione è stata quasi violenta.

His reaction was almost violent.

Used for dramatic emphasis.

2

Sembrava quasi che volesse piangere.

It almost seemed like he wanted to cry.

Used with 'sembrare' to describe an impression.

3

Il successo è quasi garantito.

Success is almost guaranteed.

Modifies a past participle used as an adjective.

4

È quasi impossibile finire in tempo.

It is almost impossible to finish on time.

Modifies 'impossibile'.

5

Quasi quasi gli telefono e gli dico tutto.

I've half a mind to call him and tell him everything.

Stronger tentative intention.

6

Siamo quasi al punto di rottura.

We are almost at the breaking point.

Idiomatic use for stress/tension.

7

Quasi ogni giorno vado a correre.

Almost every day I go running.

'Quasi ogni' is a common frequency marker.

8

Ha quasi dell'incredibile.

It's almost unbelievable.

Standard idiom: 'avere del...'.

1

L'opera è pervasa da un senso di quasi malinconia.

The work is pervaded by a sense of near melancholy.

Used to create a specific atmospheric nuance.

2

Il risultato rasenta quasi la perfezione.

The result almost borders on perfection.

Used with 'rasentare' (to border on).

3

Sussurrava quasi a non voler farsi sentire.

He whispered as if not wanting to be heard.

Poetic/Literary use of 'quasi a'.

4

C'è una quasi totale assenza di prove.

There is an almost total absence of evidence.

Used before an adjective modifying a noun.

5

Il suo tono era quasi di sfida.

His tone was almost one of defiance.

Used to characterize a social interaction.

6

È un'impresa quasi disperata.

It is an almost desperate undertaking.

Modifies the adjective 'disperata'.

7

Il silenzio era quasi assordante.

The silence was almost deafening.

Oxymoron common in literature.

8

Si è trattato di un quasi incidente.

It was a near-miss accident.

Used as a noun modifier (near-miss).

1

L'autore delinea un mondo quasi onirico.

The author outlines an almost dreamlike world.

Sophisticated literary description.

2

La sua prosa ha una cadenza quasi poetica.

His prose has an almost poetic cadence.

Critique of style.

3

Il confine tra realtà e finzione è quasi impercettibile.

The boundary between reality and fiction is almost imperceptible.

Philosophical observation.

4

Si avverte un quasi impercettibile mutamento.

An almost imperceptible change is felt.

Highly precise observation.

5

L'accordo è quasi del tutto sfumato.

The agreement has almost entirely vanished.

Abstract professional context.

6

La sua è una quasi ossessione per i dettagli.

His is an almost obsession with details.

Character analysis.

7

Il film si chiude con un quasi lieto fine.

The film ends with a near-happy ending.

Nuanced narrative analysis.

8

Quasi a voler suggellare il patto, si strinsero la mano.

As if wanting to seal the pact, they shook hands.

Formal narrative 'quasi a'.

よく使う組み合わせ

quasi finito
quasi pronto
quasi sempre
quasi mai
quasi nessuno
quasi niente
quasi tutto
quasi impossibile
quasi invisibile
quasi per caso

よく使うフレーズ

Ci siamo quasi!

— We are almost there! Used when nearing a goal or destination.

Ancora un chilometro e ci siamo quasi!

Quasi quasi...

— I'm thinking of... Used to introduce a tentative idea.

Quasi quasi mi compro un gelato.

È quasi ora.

— It's almost time. Used for appointments or deadlines.

Sbrigati, è quasi ora di andare.

Quasi niente.

— Hardly anything. Used as a short answer.

Quanto hai mangiato? Quasi niente.

Quasi mai.

— Hardly ever. Used as a short answer.

Vai spesso a Roma? Quasi mai.

Sembra quasi...

— It almost seems... Used to describe an impression.

Sembra quasi che stia per piovere.

Manca quasi tutto.

— Almost everything is missing.

In questa casa manca quasi tutto.

Quasi per scherzo.

— Almost as a joke.

L'ha detto quasi per scherzo.

Ho quasi fatto.

— I'm almost done. Very common colloquial expression.

Aspetta un secondo, ho quasi fatto.

Quasi un miracolo.

— Almost a miracle. Used for lucky events.

È stato quasi un miracolo trovarlo.

よく混同される語

quasi vs circa

Circa means around/roughly (above or below), quasi means almost (below).

quasi vs proprio

Proprio means exactly/really, the opposite of the approximation in quasi.

quasi vs appena

Appena means 'just' or 'hardly', focusing on the recentness or difficulty.

慣用句と表現

"Esserci quasi"

— To be very close to succeeding or arriving.

Dai, continua così, ci sei quasi!

informal
"Quasi quasi"

— To have half a mind to do something.

Quasi quasi vado al mare.

colloquial
"Quasi per miracolo"

— Against all odds, as if by a miracle.

Si è salvato quasi per miracolo.

neutral
"Quasi a dire"

— As if to say. Used to interpret a look or action.

Mi guardò, quasi a dire che non era d'accordo.

literary
"Quasi niente"

— A trivial amount; a pittance.

L'ho pagato quasi niente.

neutral
"Averne quasi abbastanza"

— To be almost fed up with something.

Ne ho quasi abbastanza di questo rumore.

informal
"Quasi un insulto"

— Something so poor it feels like an insult.

Quella mancia era quasi un insulto.

neutral
"Quasi di nascosto"

— Almost stealthily.

Se n'è andato quasi di nascosto.

neutral
"Quasi per forza"

— Almost by necessity or compulsion.

Ha dovuto accettare quasi per forza.

neutral
"Quasi un'ossessione"

— Something that has become nearly an obsession.

La pulizia per lui è quasi un'ossessione.

neutral

間違えやすい

quasi vs circa

Both express approximation.

Quasi is always 'approaching but not reaching'. Circa is 'in the vicinity of'.

Quasi 10 (9.8). Circa 10 (9.8 or 10.2).

quasi vs quasi quasi

Learners think it just means 'very almost'.

It is a specific idiom for tentative plans.

Quasi quasi lo chiamo.

quasi vs praticamente

Both imply something is not 100% literal.

Praticamente suggests the difference is irrelevant. Quasi suggests the difference is still there.

È praticamente morto vs È quasi morto.

quasi vs già

Both relate to states of completion.

Già means 'already' (done), quasi means 'almost' (not done).

Ho già finito vs Ho quasi finito.

quasi vs quasi mai

English speakers might say 'quasi non mai'.

The 'non' goes before the verb, not 'quasi'.

Non vado quasi mai.

文型パターン

A1

Soggetto + essere + quasi + aggettivo

Il caffè è quasi pronto.

A1

Sono + quasi + le + [ora]

Sono quasi le otto.

A2

Soggetto + avere + quasi + participio passato

Ho quasi finito.

A2

Non + verbo + quasi + mai

Non esco quasi mai.

B1

Quasi quasi + verbo (presente)

Quasi quasi vado a Roma.

B1

Sembra + quasi + che + [congiuntivo]

Sembra quasi che sia vero.

B2

È + quasi + impossibile + [infinito]

È quasi impossibile vincere.

C1

Un + quasi + [sostantivo]

Un quasi incidente.

語族

名詞

quasi-cristallo (scientific)

関連

circa
approssimativamente
quasi-contratto
quasi-delitto
quasi-usufrutto

使い方

frequency

Extremely high in all domains of the Italian language.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'QUAsi' as 'QUite AS If'. It's quite as if it happened, but not exactly.

視覚的連想

Imagine a runner inches away from the finish line. They are 'quasi' there.

Word Web

almost nearly just about nearly there bordering on approximating quasi quasi tentative

チャレンジ

Try to use 'quasi' in three different ways today: for time, for completion, and for a plan (quasi quasi).

語源

From the Latin 'quasi', which is a combination of 'quam' (as) and 'si' (if).

元の意味: The original Latin meaning was 'as if' or 'just as if'.

Romance (Italic)

文化的な背景

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral, functional adverb.

English speakers often use 'about' for everything, but Italians distinguish between 'quasi' (under) and 'circa' (around).

'Quasi quasi' (Italian film) 'Quasi amici' (Italian title for The Intouchables) 'Il quasi' (concept in Italian philosophy)

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Time-keeping

  • Sono quasi le...
  • È quasi ora
  • Quasi un'ora
  • Manca quasi un minuto

Work/Tasks

  • Quasi finito
  • Quasi pronto
  • Ho quasi fatto
  • Quasi ultimato

Socializing

  • Ci sono quasi
  • Quasi quasi...
  • Quasi nessuno
  • Quasi sempre

Shopping

  • Costa quasi...
  • Quasi un chilo
  • Quasi tutto in saldo
  • Quasi niente

Feelings

  • Mi sento quasi...
  • Sembra quasi...
  • Quasi incredibile
  • Quasi impossibile

会話のきっかけ

"Hai quasi finito il tuo lavoro per oggi?"

"Quasi quasi andiamo a bere qualcosa, che ne dici?"

"È quasi ora di cena, cosa mangiamo?"

"Sei quasi arrivato a destinazione?"

"Ti capita quasi mai di dimenticare le chiavi?"

日記のテーマ

Descrivi una cosa che hai quasi finito di fare questa settimana.

C'è qualcosa che non fai quasi mai? Perché?

Scrivi di un momento in cui sei stato 'quasi' fortunato.

Cosa faresti se avessi quasi tutto il tempo del mondo?

Usa 'quasi quasi' per descrivere un tuo desiderio spontaneo.

よくある質問

10 問

It's rare. Usually, it must precede the word it modifies. In English we say 'I'm almost there', in Italian 'Ci sono quasi' is the set phrase, but generally, 'quasi' stays in front.

They are very similar. 'Quasi mai' (almost never) is slightly stronger than 'raramente' (rarely).

Yes, it is primarily an adverb. In rare C1/C2 cases, it can act as a prefix-like modifier for nouns (e.g., un quasi-incidente).

Use it at the start of a sentence to show you just had an idea you might act on. 'Quasi quasi compro un libro'.

No, 'quasi' is invariable. It never becomes 'quasa' or 'quasi'.

Not directly. You would say 'quasi come se' (almost as if).

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in all levels of formality.

It means 'to be nearly there' or 'to have almost solved something'.

You say 'quasi tutti' or 'quasi tutti quanti'.

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