Some Italian words, when repeated twice, change meaning. For example “ancora ancora”…
The word ancora, (emphasis on ancora) has different meanings. It can be “again”, “not yet” (as non ancora), “still”, “so far”, depending on the position in the sentence, the situation etcetera.
There is also a very peculiar use of this one and other words: when repeated, ancora ancora, the meaning changes.
We say ancora ancora in contrast to something unacceptable, unbearable, of low quality, to mean that something else is quite acceptable in comparison.
You should be familiar with the word Quasi. It comes straight from Latin into Italian (and English) and it means “almost”. So, Ho quasi finito, means that I’m almost done and so on. If we repeat it, as quasi quasi, the meaning changes completely. It roughly means “having half a mind to…”, to be tempted to…
Another one is giusto giusto. Giusto alone means right, correct or just. When we say it twice, it means that something is a perfect match, it fits, is just what I need.
If you play the piano, perhaps you know it’s an instrument created in Italy. The italian name is pianoforte, meaning “slow and fast” (or “soft and loud”). Piano is an adverb. Corro piano means I run slowly. Piano piano means carefully, very slowly or with a low or slow voice.
Zitto means silent, stare zitto (or zitta) is “to be silent”, sometimes “to shut up”. Zitto zitto is quite funny. We use it when someone does something “behind the curtain”, without drawing attention. We usually put it at the beginning of the sentence.
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Italian painting of today – Cristiano Banti, Passeggiata sotto la pioggia – 1880