“Half” in Italian
In Italian, we have different words to translate “half”. The most common one is the adjectivemezzo, although it can also be used as an adverb.
Remember that adjectives change in gender and number depending on the noun they refer to, while adverbs never change!
Another way we can say “half” in Italian is the noun metà. So let me show you different examples to understanding how to use these words correctly.
“Mezzo” in Italian
“Mezzo” as an Adjective
When mezzo is used as an adjective, it can be masculine, feminine, singular, or plural, depending on the noun it modifies. In this context, it refers to “half” of something specific.
Per colazione bevo mezzo bicchiere di latte.
For breakfast I drink half a glass of milk.
Se vuoi, è rimasta mezza banana in frigo.
If you want, there’s half a banana left in the fridge.
In these examples, the word mezzo is an adjective that modifies the noun it describes, meaning “half of” something specific.
“Mezzo” as an Adverb
For me, a very interesting use of mezzo in Italian is its function as an adverb. In this case, it describes an action or state as being partial or incomplete. It can be translated into English as “half”, “partially”, or “kind of”.
Sono mezzo addormentato.
I’m half asleep.
Era mezzo ubriaco.
He was half drunk.
Non ce ne è molto. È mezzo finito.
There isn’t much left. It’s half finished.
When used as an adverb, mezzo does not change to agree in gender or number. Also, remember that adverbs are used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
“Metà” in Italian
When referring to “half” as a portion or fraction more generally, in Italian we use la metà. This expression is always feminine and does not change, regardless of the noun it refers to. It’s the equivalent of saying “half” in a non-specific sense.
La torta era buonissima. Ne ho mangiata la metà.
The cake was delicious. I ate half of it.
Abbiamo finito metà libro.
We finished half the book.
Common Expressions Using “Half”
In Italian we have many idiomatic expressions that involve the concept of “half”, which often use either mezzo or la metà depending on the context:
A metà prezzo
At half price
A metà strada
Halfway there
A metà pomeriggio
In the middle of the afternoon
Mezz’ora
Half an hour
Mezza verità
Half-truth
Fare le cose a metà
To do things halfway
