Advertisement

Italian Word of The Day Supported by: Fluente logo For Members

Italian word of the day: 'Appunto'

Jessica Phelan
Jessica Phelan - [email protected]
Italian word of the day: 'Appunto'
Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash"

You might find this is just the word you're looking for.

Advertisement

How do you tell someone they've got it just right – not near enough, or in the ball park, but spot on?

Appunto is the word you need. It means 'exactly' or 'precisely'.

La cosa è andata appunto così.
That's precisely how it went.

Appunto per questo ti ho fatto venire.
That's exactly why I got you to come.

It's often used to show that something or someone has shown up at just the right time.

Appunto, volevo proprio te.
You're the very person I wanted to see.

Si parlava appunto di questo.
We were talking about that very thing.

Advertisement

You can also use appunto to answer a question in the affirmative – like giving a very emphatic 'yes!' or 'indeed!'

– Mi aspettavi?
– Appunto!

– Were you waiting for me?
– Indeed I was!

That's how you use appunto as an adverb, but don't mix it up with the identical noun.

Un appunto is a 'critique' or 'objection', while its plural form – gli appunti – means 'notes'.

Ho dimenticato di prendere appunti.
I forgot to take notes.

Ho un appunto da farti.
I have an objection to make.

Do you have a favourite Italian word you'd like us to feature? If so, please email us with your suggestion.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

Paul 2023/06/22 17:28
I think you could use "riprodurre un CD", or maybe "ascoltare un CD".
Anonymous 2021/02/26 20:52
I have difficulty in knowing how to say "play a CD". The Italian constructs don't seem to follow the pattern of the English ones. I am not well understood if I use "suonare" and definitely not if I use "giocare"! But using mettere doesn't feel right to me. Some examples, please .......

See Also