The noun il passo — What does it mean?

Let's look at the common noun il passo. It's used in a variety of ways in Italian. Let's keep in mind, however, that passo is also the first-person singular of the verb passare (to pass). That's not what this lesson is about. 

We usually translate il passo with "the step."

Questo è soltanto il primo passo.

This is just the first step.

Caption 1, Adriano Olivetti - La forza di un sogno Ep.2

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Che vuoi fa' [romanesco: fare]?

What can you do?

Un passo avanti e due indietro come i gamberi, fanno.

One step forward and two backwards, as shrimp do.

Caption 35, Il Commissario Manara - S2EP2 - L'addio di Lara

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Bene. Allora, Anna, io direi che secondo me è il momento giusto

Good. So, Anna, I would say that in my opinion, it's the right moment

per spiegare passo per passo come realizzare questa ricetta.

to explain, step by step how to make this recipe.

Captions 92-93, L'Italia a tavola - Tonnarelli cacio e pepe

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Here's some great advice in just about any situation:

Un passo alla volta...

One step at a time...

Caption 52, La linea verticale - EP1 - Part 4

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Although we can translate "a passage" with un passaggio, we can also use un passo.

La figurazione della fontana

The figures depicted on the fountain

è tratta da un passo della Bibbia.

are taken from a passage from the Bible.

Caption 87, In giro per l'Italia - Roma Piazza Navona

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But that's not the whole story on passo.

Al passo means "at a walk" when we're talking about the gait of a horse or other animal.

...e si fa al passo o al galoppo, il volteggio. -Meraviglioso.

...and vaulting is done at a walk or at a canter. -Marvelous.

Caption 48, Francesca - Cavalli

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Il passo can be "the pace" or "the rate."

E io non so se mi metterò al passo con lei.

I don't know if I will be able to keep up with her [to go at her pace].

Caption 27, Il Commissario Manara - S2EP9 - L'amica ritrovata

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Se continuiamo di questo passo non mi meraviglierei.

If we keep going at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised.

Caption 51, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore - S1EP1 L'estate del dito

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One way to take a walk is "to take two steps." It's a casual way to say it.

Faccio due passi.

I'm going to step out.

Caption 26, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone - EP1 I Bastardi

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In fact, "2 steps" is also synonymous with "a short distance." So when something is a short distance away, we can say it's a due passi. (literally, "two steps away").

Sta qui a due passi, Luca.

It's right near here, Luca.

Caption 47, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP6 - Reazione a Catena

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Other meanings:

Il passo can also be a pass in the mountains or in a river, just like in English.

When you need to buy some screws (le viti) at a hardware store, the clerk might ask you quale passo or che passo?  He or she is talking about the threading. The word for threading is filettatura, from il filo (the thread) or filare (to thread).