How to say “half”: Italian grammar lesson 66

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What does mezzo and metà mean?

In Italian, there are two ways of translating the English word half: mezzo and metà.

L’ho diviso a metà.

I split it in half.

Ludo ha mangiato mezza mela.

Ludo ate half an apple.

These two words may express the same concept, but they are used differently.

This can be confusing for a non-native speaker, but don’t worry because if you want to know how to use them correctly, you’ve come to the right place.

How to use metà?

meta mezzo italiano

Metà is a feminine noun, and it is used to describe one of two equal parts something can be divided into.

This word, as with other words that end in –, does not have a plural form, so you will still say: due metà (two halves).

Have a look at the examples below:

La metà di 10 è 5.

Half of 10 is 5.

La crostata era così buona che ne abbiamo già mangiata la metà.

The cake was so good that we already ate half of it.

Le due metà sono uguali, non c’è dubbio.

The two halves are the same; there’s no doubt about it.

How to use mezzo?

half a kilo italian

Mezzo is an adjective and always accompanies a noun.

Just like all other adjectives, it changes according to the noun’s gender and number, becoming:

  • mezzo (masculine singular)
  • mezza (feminine singular)
  • mezzi (masculine plural)
  • mezze (feminine plural)

Ho comprato mezzo kilo di patate.

I bought half a kilo of potatoes.

Non mi piacciono le mezze verità.

I don’t like half truths.

Ho mangiato mezza mela per merenda.

I ate half an apple as a snack.

Mezzo is also used in many set expressions such as:

in mezzo a

in the middle of

per mezzo di

by means of

mettersi in mezzo

to get in the way

nel bel mezzo di

in the midst of

And also compound words like

  • mezzogiorno (midday)
  • mezzanotte (midnight)

How to use mezzo as an adverb?

mezzo half italian 2

Sometimes, mezzo can remain unchanged. This happens when its function within the sentence is that of an adverb and not an adjective.

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Remember, an adverb modifies the verb, while an adjective modifies a noun. In this case, mezzo means a metà (halfway) or per metà (in half).

In this case, it is advisable to leave it unchanged, but it is not incorrect to match it with the subject:

Quella donna è mezzo morta. / Quella donna è mezza morta.

That woman is half dead.

Learn more about Italian adverbs of time.

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FAQs on How to say “half”: Italian grammar lesson 66

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4 Responses

  1. A fun memory hook for ‘mezzo’…..

    Dante begins the Divine Comedy with the words

    Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita.
    “Midway through the journey of my life.”

    1. Ciao @donaldbell09@gmail.com!

      Yes, Dante begins La Divina Commedia with the word mezzo because even nowadays it means half.

      You can find a grammar note, at this link, about all the uses of mezzo from adjective to adverb to noun.

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