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This lesson covers Italian quantity adverbs like "troppo" (too much), "abbastanza" (enough), "un po'" (a little), "più o meno" (more or less), and "solo" (only), essential for expressing amounts and degrees in everyday conversation.
  1. "Troppo" is an adverb that expresses large quantities.
  2. The adverbs that express sufficient quantity are: abbastanza, un po', più o meno.
  3. "Solo" is an adverb that expresses small quantities.
Avverbio (Adverb)Esempio (Example)
TroppoLa benzina costa troppo. (The petrol costs too much.)
AbbastanzaIl modulo è abbastanza lungo. (The form is quite long.)
Un po'C'è un po' di deposito da pagare. (There is a little deposit to pay.)
Più o menoIl rimborso è di più o meno 100 euro. (The refund is more or less 100 euros.)
SoloHo solo la patente italiana. (I have only the Italian driving licence.)

Exercise 1: Gli avverbi di quantità

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

un po', troppi, solo, troppo, più o meno

1. Quantità sufficiente:
Il rimborso sarà disponibile tra ... due giorni.
(The refund will be available in about two days.)
2. Quantità sufficiente:
Abbiamo ... tempo per controllare tutto prima.
(We have a little time to check everything first.)
3. Quantità piccola:
C'è ... da controllare un modulo.
(There is only one form to check.)
4. Quantità piccola:
Controllo la macchina per ... prima di partire.
(I check the car for a while before leaving.)
5. Quantità grande:
La benzina è ... costosa per noleggiare oggi.
(The petrol is too expensive to rent today.)
6. Quantità grande:
L'autonoleggio mi ha dato ... documenti.
(The car rental company gave me too many documents.)
7. Quantità piccola:
C'è ... una ruota nel bagagliaio.
(There is only one wheel in the boot.)
8. Quantità piccola:
Vorrei ... cancellare la prenotazione del GPS.
(I just want to cancel the GPS booking.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that properly uses adverbs of quantity in contexts related to vehicle rental.

1.
"Too" indicates a large quantity, so it is not used with adjectives that indicate insufficient quantities like "low."
"Only" indicates small quantities and does not fit describing a "high" quantity.
2.
"Too" indicates an excessive quantity, but it is used with adjectives or adverbs, not with fixed numbers as in "too two days."
"Sufficiently" requires a qualitative complement and is not used with fixed numbers without comparison.
3.
"Only" indicates small quantities; associating it with "more" creates an incorrect construction.
"Sufficiently" indicates adequate quantities, but in this context it is less natural than "a bit" for small increases.
4.
"Sufficiently" indicates adequate quantities, but here the intention is to emphasize an excess, so it is not the best choice.
"Only" indicates small quantities and is inconsistent with "high," which indicates a significant quantity.

Understanding Italian Adverbs of Quantity

This lesson introduces you to adverbs of quantity in Italian, essential words that express the amount or degree of an action, adjective, or other adverb. At the A2 level, learning these will help you describe amounts more precisely when speaking or writing in Italian.

Key Adverbs of Quantity

  • Troppo (too much) – indicates an excessive amount.
    Example: La benzina costa troppo.
  • Abbastanza (enough, quite) – expresses a sufficient or adequate quantity.
    Example: Il modulo è abbastanza lungo.
  • Un po' (a little) – refers to a small amount.
    Example: C'è un po' di deposito da pagare.
  • Più o meno (more or less) – means approximately or about.
    Example: Il rimborso è di più o meno 100 euro.
  • Solo (only) – signals a small or limited amount.
    Example: Ho solo la patente italiana.

How These Adverbs Work

Adverbs of quantity modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to specify how much. For example, "troppo" always suggests excess, while words like "abbastanza", "un po'", and "più o meno" indicate moderate or approximate amounts. "Solo" is used to emphasize limitation or restriction.

Important Notes for English Speakers

Unlike English, where such adverbs often come before adjectives or adverbs, Italian adverbs of quantity frequently precede verbs or adjectives but follow specific rules depending on emphasis and sentence structure. For example, "troppo" is directly linked with adjectives to mean "too much," but you wouldn't say "troppo bassa" incorrectly because "troppo" usually pairs with positive qualities.

Words like "un po'" correspond to English "a bit" or "a little," but in Italian they are used very commonly and with flexibility.

Useful Phrases and Their English Equivalents

  • La benzina costa troppo. – Gasoline costs too much.
  • Il modulo è abbastanza lungo. – The form is quite long.
  • C'è un po' di deposito da pagare. – There is a little deposit to pay.
  • Il rimborso è di più o meno 100 euro. – The reimbursement is more or less 100 euros.
  • Ho solo la patente italiana. – I have only the Italian driver's license.

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 02/09/2025 19:05