Let's talk about adverbs we can use to add a qualifier to an adjective. We can say someone is gentile (nice). But we can qualify that with an adverb such as molto (very), poco (not very), abbastanza (rather, enough), and others.

Adjectives or adverbs

Molto (very) and poco (not very) go hand in hand. They can be either adjectives or adverbs. When they're adjectives, we change the ending according to what they modify.  But when they're used as adverbs, they are invariable.

Molto is perhaps the one we hear most often. In our first example, molto becomes molti to agree with negozi (the plural of negozio). This is because it is functioning as an adjective. For more on this topic, see Daniela's lessons.

A qui [sic], a Mondello ci sono molti negozi.

Here in Mondello there are many shops:

Caption 18, Adriano - a Mondello

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In the next example, however, molto is an adverb modifying forte (strong). As an adverb, the ending doesn't ever change. And in English, the meaning changes to "very."

In estate qui il sole è molto forte.

In summer, the sun here is very strong.

Caption 40, Adriano - Le stagioni dell'anno

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Poco works the same way as molto and can be used as an adjective or an adverb. Here, poche agrees with ore (the plural of ora).

Poche ore fa, non più di tre.

Just a few hours ago, no more than three.

Caption 43, Il Commissario Manara - S2EP2 - L'addio di Lara

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But here, it's an adverb modifying chiaro (clear).

C'è sicuramente qualcosa di poco chiaro là sotto.

There is for sure something not very clear underneath it all.

Caption 40, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone - EP1 I Bastardi - Part 15

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Molto and poco are opposites, more or less, but we have some "in-between" words, too. 

Abbastanza

Abbastanza is interesting because it comes from the verb bastare (to suffice). So the most logical translation for abbastanza might be "sufficiently" — to the degree of being sufficient, or "enough," which in English comes after the adjective it modifies. In everyday speech, however, we often equate abbastanza with "rather," "fairly," or in colloquial speech, "pretty." 

Era abbastanza timida, abbastanza riservata.

She was rather shy, rather reserved.

Caption 2, Illuminate - Rita Levi Montalcini

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Certo, Lojacono mi sembra uno abbastanza sveglio,

Of course, Lojacono seems quite smart to me,

ma per quanto riguarda il resto della squadra,

but regarding the rest of the team,

Lei è messo male, io lo so.

you are in bad shape, I know.

Captions 36-38, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone - EP1 I Bastardi - Part 9

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Piuttosto

A synonym for abbastanza is piuttosto, usually translated as "rather." It's on the positive end of the scale but not at the top. When you say abbastanza, you might be saying something is lacking, that something is just sufficient, especially when coupled with a positive adjective such as buono (good) bene, (good, well) or bello (beautiful, nice).

Come ti senti?

How do you feel?

Abbastanza bene. -Ce la fai?

Pretty good. -Can you manage?

Captions 72-73, Il Commissario Manara - S2EP11 - Uno strano incidente di caccia

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But with piuttosto, it's usually positive relative to what it's modifying and serves to reinforce the positive aspect of something without actually going to the point of saying molto (very). So it's generally (but not always) higher on the scale than abbastanza.

Anche se, su certi argomenti, se la cava piuttosto bene devo dire.

Even though, on some subjects, she manages rather well, I must say.

Caption 52, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP8 - Morte di un buttero

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So of course it can also modify a negative adjective, and reinforces its characteristic, as in this example:

La gestione all'interno della casa

The running of the household

è stata piuttosto complicata, i primi giorni,

was quite complicated, the first days,

Captions 2-3, COVID-19 - 3) La quarantena

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Nella memory card ce n'erano anche altre, piuttosto sfocate.

On the memory card there were others too, and rather blurry.

Caption 9, Il Commissario Manara - S2EP4 - Miss Maremma

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Assai

This adverb is similar to piuttosto, but is often another way of saying molto (much, very). But it can also be just a short step lower than molto, depending on the context and the region the speaker is from.

Ma in realtà, pensate, dopo praticamente sette secoli e più,

But actually, just think: After practically seven-plus centuries,

questi colori si sono leggermente sbiaditi. Sono assai meno brillanti.

these colors have faded somewhat. They are much less brilliant.

Captions 26-27, Meraviglie - EP. 4 - Part 4

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Another qualifying adverb is parecchio (a great deal). It's used a lot as an adjective, but works fine as an adverb, too. See this lesson.

Quindi, quando sarà finito, sicuramente mi riposerò,

So, when it's all done, I'll take a break, for sure,

perché sto parecchio stressata.

because I am totally stressed out.

Captions 50-51, Fuori era primavera - Viaggio nell'Italia del lockdown

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See this video for some explanations in Italian about qualifying adverbs, now that we've given you some pointers in English.

People have their personal favorites when it comes to adverb qualifiers. So keep your eyes and ears open. Listen for the variable endings when these qualifiers are adjectives, and the invariable ending when they're adverbs. This takes patience and experience. But little by little, you will put two and two together. 

This list isn't set in stone, as these adverbs can be used differently by different people, but it can help give you an idea. 

• •molto, parecchio
• •assai
• •piuttosto
• •abbastanza
• •poco
• •per niente (at all)  — We didn't discuss this here but you will find it mentioned in other lessons if you do a search of niente.

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