What does il più possibile mean in Italian?
In English, expressions like as far as possible, as soon as possible, and as fast as possible are very common. How do we translate them into Italian?
The answer is quite simple: there is a very similar construction in Italian that we can use: (il) più … possibile that translates as as … as possible.
Voglio andare il più lontano possibile da qui.
I want to go as far as possible from here.
Cerca di partire il più presto possibile.
Try to leave as early as possible.
Provo a vederlo il più possibile.
I try to see him as much as possible.
How to use il più possibile?
As you can see in the examples above, the Italian construction is quite similar to the English one and is also used similarly.
There are only a few things to remember. Usually, we place an adverb in between il più and possibile.
Il più rapidamente possibile
As quickly as possible.
Il più lentamente possibile
As slowly as possible
Il più presto possibile
As soon as possible
Il più tardi possibile
As late as possible
How to use il meno possibile?
Unlike in English, in Italian, we can use the same construction in the negative by changing the word più (more) with meno (less).
As we do not have an equivalent construction in English, you will use “as … as possible” and change the adverb or adjective to its opposite.
Il meno possibile.
As little as possible
Il meno velocemente possibile (velocemente – quickly -> slowly).
As slowly as possible.
Il meno sgarbatamente possibile (sgarbatamente – rudely -> politely).
As politely as possible.
Il più possibile: examples
We’ve seen how to use il più and il meno … possible with adverbs, but the same construction can be used with nouns and adjectives, too.
Have a look at the examples below:
- Adjectives
With adjectives, the construction behaves in the same way as with adverbs.
Il vestito dev’essere il più elegante possibile.
The dress must be as elegant as possible.
Cerca di renderlo il meno noioso possibile.
Try to make it as little boring as possible (as fun as possible).
- Nouns
With nouns, we usually drop the article il before più, and we use a plural noun for countable nouns (as many … as possible) and a singular for uncountable nouns (as much … as possible).
Sto cercando di leggere più libri possibile quest’anno.
I am trying to read as many books as possible this year.
Compra più caffè possibile, saremo in tanti.
Buy as much coffee as possible: we’ll be a lot.
Oggi berrò meno caffè possibile, ieri ne ho bevuto troppo.
I will drink as little coffee as possible today, I had too much yesterday.
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