What Does “Molto” Mean? Italian Term Explained

Ever heard an Italian say the word “molto” and wondered what it means? Maybe in a pasta commercial? Or a romantic scene set in Rome? Well, good news — it’s not hard to understand, and it pops up a lot. Let’s break it down in a way that’s fun, simple, and molto easy to follow!

TLDR: What Does “Molto” Mean?

“Molto” means “very” or “a lot” in Italian. It’s used to make things stronger or bigger in meaning, like “very good” or “a lot of pasta.” It works like seasoning — sprinkle it in to spice up your sentence. Once you learn a few rules, you’ll be using “molto” like a native Italian in no time!

Molto = Very or A Lot

The word molto most often means:

• “Very” when you want to add emphasis. Like “molto bello” means “very beautiful.”
• “A lot” when you’re talking about quantity. Like “molto cibo” means “a lot of food.”

So, same word — two meanings. That’s not so bad, right?

How to Use “Molto” in a Sentence

Let’s take a look at examples so you know how to use “molto” like a pro.

1. As “Very” (an Adverb)

When “molto” is used in front of an adjective or an adverb, it means “very.”

• Lei è molto intelligente. – She is very smart.
• Corri molto veloce! – You run very fast!

In this case, it never changes form. Easy, right? It’s always just molto.

2. As “A Lot of” (an Adjective)

This is where it gets a bit fancy. When “molto” means “a lot of,” it works like an adjective and changes form based on what’s being described.

• molto – singular, masculine (e.g., molto pane – a lot of bread)
• molta – singular, feminine (e.g., molta pasta – a lot of pasta)
• molti – plural, masculine (e.g., molti ragazzi – many boys)
• molte – plural, feminine (e.g., molte persone – many people)

Think of it like this: “molto” puts on different outfits to match the word next to it.

Molto Loves Adjectives

“Molto” loves hanging out with adjectives. It adds flavor and emotion to your sentence.

• Questo gelato è molto buono! – This ice cream is very good!
• È un uomo molto gentile. – He’s a very kind man.

Can you feel the enthusiasm? That’s what “molto” brings to conversations — passion!

When “Molto” Becomes “Many” or “Much”

Sometimes “molto” takes on the job of “many” or “much.” In English, we’d say:

• “Many people came to the party.”
• “There isn’t much sugar left.”

In Italian, that would become:

• Molte persone sono venute alla festa.
• Non c’è molta zucchero.

Notice how “molto” changes to “molte” or “molta” to match the nouns “persone” (feminine plural) and “zucchero” (feminine singular)? Grammar magic!

“Molto” Can Also Stand Alone

Sometimes, “molto” is just used by itself to mean “a lot.”

• Ti amo molto. – I love you a lot.
• Mi piace molto! – I like it a lot!

See? One small word. Big emotion. That’s molto powerful.

Musical Vibes: Molto in Music

Here’s a fun twist: you’ll also find “molto” in music. Yup — Italian is the language of music too!

• Molto allegro – very fast and cheerful
• Molto adagio – very slow and calm

Next time you’re at a concert, listen closely. You might hear more Italian than you think!

Common Phrases with Molto

Here are some everyday phrases where you’ll find “molto” doing its thing:

• Molto bene! – Very good!
• Grazie mille, sei molto gentile. – A thousand thanks, you are very kind.
• Mi manchi molto. – I miss you a lot.

You could even say:

• Ti amo… molto molto molto! – I love you… very very very much!

Yes, repeating it for drama is totally allowed. Italians love drama.

A Quick Summary of When to Use “Molto”

Here’s a handy checklist for you:

• Use “molto” before adjectives – it means “very” and never changes form.
• Use “molto/molta/molti/molte” before nouns – it means “a lot of” and must agree in gender and number.
• Use “molto” with verbs – it usually means “a lot.”

Fun Fact

Did you know Italian kids often exaggerate things for fun using molto? You’ll hear things like:

• È molto, molto, mooolto grande! – It’s very, very, veeeery big!

Try that with your friends — it’s molto entertaining.

Want to Sound Very Italian?

If you want to sound extra Italian, start dropping “molto” in your everyday English — just for fun!

• Molto delicious!
• This view is molto spectacular!

You’ll be waving your hands when you talk in no time.

Conclusion

So, what does “molto” mean? It’s one tiny word with a lot of power. Whether it’s adding drama, flavor, or love to a sentence, “molto” is a superstar in the Italian language. Now that you know how to use it, go out and impress your friends with some molto fluent Italian!

Molto grazie for reading!