How do you use the word pronto in Italian? What does it mean? How do you pronounce it?
In this lesson, we will look at how to use this word along with the help of many audio recordings and example sentences. Read on to learn all you need to know!
Pronto in Italian
What is pronto?
Pronto is both an interjection and an adjective that can be translated into English as “ready”. In telephone conversations, it means “hello!”.
Pronto
Ready, hello!
Its pronunciation is close to pron-toh. If you have trouble pronouncing Italian sounds, check out the Italian pronunciation guide.
Now, let’s see some example sentences using pronto in Italian, before we take a look at how to use this word.
Title: Italian All-in-One For Dummies
Language: English / Italian
Publisher: For Dummies
Pages: 672
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Pronto? Chi parla?
Hello? Who is speaking?
Luca, sei pronto?
Are you ready, Luca?
Sono pronta per partire.
I’m ready to go.
Now let’s see what the use of pronto in Italian is.
Using pronto in Italian
Pronto is used very differently in Italian than it is in English. It does NOT mean “quickly”.
We’ve said that pronto in Italian is an adjective and an interjection that translates to the English words ready and hello.
Yes, Italians do say pronto to answer the phone. It’s like they are… ready to talk.
Pronto? – Ciao, sono Marco. Alessandro è in casa?
Hello! – Hi, this is Marco. Is Alessandro at home?
Pronto is also used as a wake up call, like the English word hello? or the expression “are you there?”.
Pronto? Hai sentito quello che ho detto?
Hello? Did you hear what I said?
Federico? Pronto…?
Federico? Are you there…?
As an adjective, pronto can also mean “prompt” or “prepared”. This definition can be found in collocations such as pronto soccorso (emergency room) or riflessi pronti (quick reflexes).
Sono andato al pronto soccorso per un morso di vipera.
I went to the emergency room because I was bitten by viper.
Gianni ha sempre avuto i riflessi pronti. Non sbaglia un tiro.
Gianni has always had fast reflexes. He doesn’t miss a shot.
La pasta non è ancora pronta. Aspetta cinque minuti.
The pasta is not yet ready. Wait five minutes.
Sei pronta per andare a scuola?
Are you ready to go to school?
I risultati saranno pronti domani mattina.
The results will be ready tomorrow morning.
Pronti, partenza… via!
Ready, set… go!
FAQs on pronto in Italian
What does pronto mean in Italian?
It means “hello” (in telephone conversations) and “ready, prompt”.
What is pronto?
Pronto is an Italian interjection and adjective meaning “hello” or “ready, prompt”.
And that’s the end of our lesson on how to use pronto in Italian!
What next?
Aiuta Lingookies con un 👍!
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