The Italian Language

Learn about the Italian language, grammar, vocabulary and culture

Updated 21 July 2008

Expression

These are normally written in the score itself, to indicate small speed or expression changes.

Italian	English
tempo	time
a tempo in tempo	in time. Prefer a tempo
tempo primo	first speed indication
tempo giusto	strict time
tempo rubato	from rubare/to steal. Not in strict time
alla breve	using a 2/2 measure
doppio movimento	double tempo
come prima	as before
come sopra	as above
con fantasia	as you fancy. Not in strict time
a piacere	as you fancy. Not in strict time
stringendo	from stringere/to tighten, to become faster
ritardando	from ritardare/to become slower
allargando	from allargare/to become broader
ritenuto	from ritenere/to hold back. Suddenly slower
trattenuto	from trattenere/to hold back. Slowing suddenly
accelerando	from accelerare/to accelerate
spiccato	from spiccare/to separate, to make distinct
staccato	from staccare/to separate
staccatissimo	very separated
legato	from legare/to slur, to tie together
legatissimo	very slurred
sottovoce	discretely, in an undertone
pianissimo	very soft
piano	soft (everyday sense, slow)
mezzo piano	half-soft
mezzo forte	half-loud
forte	loud
fortissimo	very loud
diminuendo	from diminuire/to decrease in volume
decrescendo	from decrescere/to decrease in volume
perdendosi	from perdersi/to lose itself, to decrease in volume until it disappears
calando	from calare/to lose itself, disappear
crescendo	from crescere/to increase in volume
smorzando	from smorzare/to absorb, to diminish, to attenuate
ostinato	from ostinare/to become stubborn
stretto	from stringere/to tighten