Significado
Noting the time is early.
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'presto' for dinner is usually anytime before 7:30 PM. Most restaurants won't even open their doors until then. In cities like Milan, being 'presto' (early/on time) for business is highly valued and expected, unlike the more relaxed social 'presto'. Socially, arriving 'presto' to a party might mean you arrive before the host has finished getting dressed. It's often better to arrive 'in orario' or slightly late. Italians wake up 'presto' for their first coffee at the bar. The 'rito del caffè' starts as early as 6:00 AM.
The 'Still' Trick
Always add 'ancora' (È ancora presto) to sound more like a native speaker when you're waiting for something.
Don't say 'Sono presto'
In English we say 'I am early', but in Italian you say 'Sono in anticipo' or just 'È presto'. Never say 'Io sono presto'.
Significado
Noting the time is early.
The 'Still' Trick
Always add 'ancora' (È ancora presto) to sound more like a native speaker when you're waiting for something.
Don't say 'Sono presto'
In English we say 'I am early', but in Italian you say 'Sono in anticipo' or just 'È presto'. Never say 'Io sono presto'.
Superlative Power
Use 'prestissimo' to emphasize how ridiculously early it is. It adds a lot of flavor to your Italian.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct word to say 'It's too early'.
È ______ presto.
'Troppo' means 'too', making the sentence 'It's too early'.
Which sentence means 'It's early to eat'?
Choose the correct translation:
The pattern is 'È presto + per + infinitive'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You arrive at a party at 6 PM but it starts at 9 PM.
Since you arrived before the start time, you are early.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Andiamo al cinema? B: No, ______ (It's still early). Il film inizia alle dieci.
'È ancora presto' means 'it's still early', which fits the context of the film starting later.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Presto vs. Veloce
When to say 'È presto'
Morning
- • Sveglia alle 5
- • Alba
- • Caffè al bar
Social
- • Arrivo in anticipo
- • Cena alle 18
- • Festa vuota
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosÈ ______ presto.
'Troppo' means 'too', making the sentence 'It's too early'.
Choose the correct translation:
The pattern is 'È presto + per + infinitive'.
You arrive at a party at 6 PM but it starts at 9 PM.
Since you arrived before the start time, you are early.
A: Andiamo al cinema? B: No, ______ (It's still early). Il film inizia alle dieci.
'È ancora presto' means 'it's still early', which fits the context of the film starting later.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it can also mean 'soon' (e.g., 'A presto') or 'quickly' (e.g., 'Fai presto'). Context is key!
No, you cannot say 'Lui è presto'. You should say 'Lui è in anticipo' (He is early/ahead of schedule).
'Presto' is the adverb/expression, 'mattina presto' is the specific time of day (early morning).
It is neutral. It's perfectly fine in both formal and informal situations.
You say 'È troppo presto per me'.
No, use 'veloce' for speed. 'Presto' is only for time.
In 'È presto', it functions as an adverb of time used predicatively.
Use the imperfect tense: 'Era presto'.
The opposite is 'È tardi' (It is late).
It literally means 'To [seeing you] soon'.
Frases relacionadas
È tardi
contrastIt is late
A presto
similarSee you soon
Fare presto
builds onTo hurry up
In anticipo
synonymIn advance / early
Di buon'ora
specialized formEarly in the morning
