Adjectives: Apocopic Forms

01

Common Apocopic Adjectives

Several high-frequency adjectives have apocopic forms that are used before singular masculine nouns.

Buono (Good)

The adjective buono shortens to buon before a singular masculine noun that begins with either a vowel or most consonants.

• Questo è un buon ristorante.

  This is a good restaurant.

• È stato un buon anno.

  It was a good year.

However, buono keeps its full form before masculine nouns that start with s + consonant, z, gn, ps, or x.

• È uno buono studente.

  He is a good student.

• Ho comprato uno buono zaino.

  I bought a good backpack.

Grande (Large, Great)

The adjective grande can shorten to gran before a singular noun (both masculine and feminine) that begins with a consonant. When shortened, it often carries the meaning of "great" or "grand" rather than just "large".

• È un gran signore.

  He is a great gentleman.

• Che gran confusione!

  What a great mess!

The full form grande is used before nouns starting with a vowel to avoid a difficult sound combination. It is also required before nouns starting with s + consonant, z, etc.

• È un grande artista.

  He is a great artist.

• Hanno costruito un grande stadio.

  They built a large stadium.

Santo (Saint)

This adjective shortens to San before masculine names that begin with a consonant.

• La città di San Francesco.

  The city of Saint Francis.

• Oggi è San Pietro.

  Today is Saint Peter's day.

It remains Santo before names starting with s + consonant or z. Before a vowel, it undergoes elision to become Sant'.

• La storia di Santo Stefano.

  The story of Saint Stephen.

• La Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio.

  The Basilica of Saint Ambrose.

02

The Special Forms of `Bello` and `Quello`

The adjectives bello (beautiful) and quello (that) have forms that change in a unique way. Their endings are determined by the definite article (il, lo, l', i, gli) that would precede the noun.

Before Singular Masculine Nouns

• If the noun takes il, use bel and quel.

• È un bel panorama.

  It's a beautiful view.

• Quel cane è molto tranquillo.

  That dog is very calm.

• If the noun takes lo, use the full forms bello and quello.

• È uno bello spettacolo.

  It's a beautiful show.

• Preferisco quello specchio.

  I prefer that mirror.

• If the noun takes l', use the elided forms bell' and quell'.

• Hai un bell'aspetto oggi.

  You look good today.

• Quell'orologio è nuovo.

  That watch is new.

Before Plural Masculine Nouns

• If the noun takes i, use bei and quei.

• Sono dei bei quadri.

  They are beautiful paintings.

• Conosci quei ragazzi?

  Do you know those boys?

• If the noun takes gli, use begli and quegli.

• Porta i begli stivali.

  She is wearing the beautiful boots.

• Quegli uomini sono i miei zii.

  Those men are my uncles.

03

Apocope in Other Words

Apocope is not limited to adjectives. It also affects determiners, titles, and other common words.

Indefinite Words

The words uno, alcuno, ciascuno, and nessuno drop their final -o before singular masculine nouns, unless the noun begins with s + consonant, z, etc.

• uno → un
• nessuno → nessun
• ciascuno → ciascun

• Non ho nessun dubbio.

  I have no doubt.

• Ciascun partecipante riceverà un premio.

  Each participant will receive a prize.

Titles and Professions

Masculine titles often drop their final vowel when placed directly before a name.

• signore → signor
• dottore → dottor
• professore → professor
• ingegnere → ingegner

• Buongiorno, signor Verdi.

  Good morning, Mr. Verdi.

• Il dottor Rossi non è disponibile.

  Doctor Rossi is not available.

When not followed by a name, the full form is used.

• Quel signore è mio nonno.

  That gentleman is my grandfather.

Other Common Words

• quale → qual (before a vowel, often with elision: qual è)

• Qual buon vento ti porta?

  What good wind brings you here? (A common idiom)

• tale → tal

• Non ho mai visto una tal cosa.

  I have never seen such a thing.