Significado
Very close by.
Contexto cultural
Italian cities are designed for walking. 'A due passi' reflects the reality that most essential services are within a 5-minute walk in the 'centro storico'. When an Italian says they are 'a due passi' on the phone, it might mean they are actually 5-10 minutes away. It's a polite way to say 'I'm coming!'. The related phrase 'fare due passi' refers to the cultural ritual of the evening stroll, where people dress up and walk through the town center. In Italian property ads, 'a due passi dal mare' is the most coveted description, even if the sea is a 10-minute walk away.
Use it for convenience
Use this phrase when you want to sound enthusiastic about how easy it is to reach a place.
Watch the preposition
Remember: 'a due passi DA'. Don't use 'di' or 'a' after the phrase.
Significado
Very close by.
Use it for convenience
Use this phrase when you want to sound enthusiastic about how easy it is to reach a place.
Watch the preposition
Remember: 'a due passi DA'. Don't use 'di' or 'a' after the phrase.
The 'Proprio' boost
Add 'proprio' (proprio a due passi) to sound 100% like a native speaker when something is extremely close.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition and article.
Il cinema è a due passi ___ (il) centro.
We use 'da' for distance, and 'da + il' becomes 'dal'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'The beach is very close'?
Come si dice 'The beach is very close' in modo idiomatico?
'A due passi' is the standard idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Andiamo in macchina al bar?' B: 'No, dai, è ___.'
The context suggests walking is better because it's close.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are 2 minutes away from meeting a friend. What do you text?
'Sono a due passi' means 'I'm almost there'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosIl cinema è a due passi ___ (il) centro.
We use 'da' for distance, and 'da + il' becomes 'dal'.
Come si dice 'The beach is very close' in modo idiomatico?
'A due passi' is the standard idiom.
A: 'Andiamo in macchina al bar?' B: 'No, dai, è ___.'
The context suggests walking is better because it's close.
You are 2 minutes away from meeting a friend. What do you text?
'Sono a due passi' means 'I'm almost there'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
5 perguntasTechnically yes, but it's not a standard idiom. Stick to 'due' or 'quattro' for the idiomatic effect.
Yes, if you are describing where you live or how you got there. It's neutral-friendly.
99% of the time, yes. It implies a distance so short that driving would be silly.
'Vicino' is a simple adjective (near). 'A due passi' is more expressive and emphasizes the ease of getting there.
No, it's strictly for spatial distance. For time, use 'tra poco' or 'manca poco'.
Frases relacionadas
dietro l'angolo
synonymJust around the corner.
qui vicino
similarNear here.
a un tiro di schioppo
synonymA stone's throw away.
fare due passi
builds onTo take a short walk.
a portata di mano
similarWithin reach / handy.
