noun

la battuta

joke

Una frase divertente detta per far ridere qualcuno o un colpo dato a una palla in uno sport.

The Italian word "battuta" has several related meanings depending on the context. Below is an explanation of the different uses of the term, along with its components, synonyms, and antonyms where applicable.


Meaning of "battuta"

1. General Meaning - "Beat" or "Blow"

  • Definition: "Battuta" originates from the verb battere, which means "to beat" or "to hit."
  • In this sense, "battuta" can refer to a single hit, stroke, or strike.

Synonyms: colpo, pugno, percosso
Antonyms: (absence of a hit or strike, no direct antonym except maybe "assenza di colpo")


2. In Music - "Beat" or "Bar"

  • In musical terms, a battuta refers to a beat or measure/bar in a musical piece. It's the rhythmic unit counted by conducting or tapping.

Example:

  • "La canzone ha quattro battute per misura."
    ("The song has four beats per measure.")

Synonyms: tempo, metro (related concepts, though not exact synonyms)


3. In Comedy or Conversation - A "Joke" or "Witty Remark"

  • Informally, battuta means a witticism, a quip, or a joke — a quick and often clever remark.

Example:

  • "Ha fatto una battuta molto divertente."
    ("He/She made a very funny joke.")

Synonyms: scherzo, freddura, gioco di parole
Antonyms: commento serio, battuta seria (serious comment, serious remark)


Summary Table

MeaningDescriptionSynonymsAntonyms
Beat/StrokeA single hit or strikecolpo, pugno-
Musical Beat/MeasureRhythmic beat or bar in musictempo, metro-
Witty Remark/JokeA quick, clever or funny commentscherzo, freddura, gioco di parolecommento serio

Etymology & Morphology

  • Latin root: battuere (to beat, to strike)
  • The suffix -ata forms a noun from the past participle indicating the result or action of beating/hitting.

In short: "battuta" generally refers to a "beat," "strike," or "remark," depending on the particular situation — whether physical, musical, or conversational.

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Examples

La tua battuta è molto divertente.noun

Your joke is very funny.

Durante la cena ho fatto una battuta che tutti hanno capito solo dopo un momento.noun

During dinner I made a joke that everyone understood only after a moment.

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