“Bravo”: Meaning
Bravo is one of those Italian words that are commonly used in English, as well as other languages. As simple as it is, bravo means something like “good”, but its use is often misunderstood.
For instance, in my experience living abroad, I noticed that people who use this word use it as if it were an adverb. That is, they use it as an exclamation, ignoring the fact that it changes depending on gender and number.
Therefore, here I want to give you a grammatical and linguistic overview of this Italian adjective, so that you can make proper use of it.
Bravo in Italian
Gender and Number
Let’s start with the basics. In Italian, adjectives change based on the gender and number of the noun they’re describing. And bravo, as an adjective, is no exception. For instance:
- bravo (masculine singular)
- brava (feminine singular)
- bravi (masculine plural)
- brave (feminine plural)
Use of Verb Essere
Since bravo is an adjective used to describe someone’s skill or competence, it is commonly paired with the verb essere (to be) to express these qualities. For example:
Sono bravo.
I am good/skilled.
Lui è bravo a suonare il piano
He is good at playing the piano.
Use of the Preposition “a”
As you might have seen from the example above, if you want to express skill in a particular activity, in Italian you need to use the preposition a.
The structure is very simple, and is also very similar to the English “be good at”: bravo a + an infinitive verb. For instance:
Loro sono bravi a cucinare.
They are good at cooking.
How to use Bravo
Complimenting Someone’s Skill
In its most common usage, bravo is a compliment. You use it when someone has done something well, similar to the English “well done” or “good job”.
This context is especially popular when cheering: we use it to show appreciation at concerts, theater performances, or sports games.
We might even emphasize it further by means of a superlative form:
Sei stato bravissimo!
You were amazing/very good!
Describing a Person’s Character
Another way bravo is used is to describe someone’s good character or qualities. When you say someone is bravo in Italian, you’re saying they are a good, kind, or reliable person. It’s a bit more personal and goes beyond just their skills.
È un bravo ragazzo.
He’s a good guy.
Sì, lei è davvero brava.
Yes, she’s really nice.
This use of bravo isn’t just about competence; it’s about recognizing someone’s positive qualities.
Bravo vs Bene
A common mix-up for Italian learners is the difference between bravo and bene. Both words translate to “good” in English, but they aren’t interchangeable.
The main difference lies in the fac that bravo is used to say that someone is good at something or to describe someone’s character, while bene is used to talk about how well something is done. For example:
Lui è bravo a suonare la chitarra.
He’s good at playing the guitar.
Ha suonato bene la chitarra.
He played the guitar well.
The History of the Word “Bravo”
As a linguist, I think it is important to have at least a superficial understanding of the history of the Italian language. This is why I will leave you with some pills of linguistics.
You now know that bravo is used as a compliment in modern Italian, but it hasn’t always been this way. In fact, bravo used to mean something completely different in the past: it originates from the late Latin word bravus (savage, wild).
In early Italian and other Romance languages, it initially carried the meaning of “bold” or “courageous”, often with an aggressive connotation, referring to someone who was fierce or daring in a negative sense.
It kept this meaning at least until the 19th century, as you can see by reading Alessandro Manzoni’s novel “The Betrothed”, where he uses this term to name the hired thugs who serve Don Rodrigo, the bravi, indeed.
Over time, its meaning, especially in Italian, ended up having a more positive connotation and denoting someone who is skilled, talented, or competent!
