subito
immediately
In un tempo molto breve, senza aspettare o ritardo.
Definition & meaning
Subito is an adverb meaning immediately, right away, or at once. It indicates that something happens without delay.
- Arrivo subito. — I’ll be there right away.
- L’ho capito subito. — I understood it immediately.
It can also mean straight away in a sequence, as in subito dopo — “immediately afterward.”
Grammar & Word origin
As an adverb, subito is invariable: it does not change for gender or number. It comes from Latin subito, meaning “suddenly” or “unexpectedly.”
Subito can also be the past participle of the verb subire , meaning “to undergo,” “suffer,” or “be subjected to.” In this use, it changes form when required: un danno subito means “damage suffered.”
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonyms: immediatamente means “immediately” and is more formal; immediato is the corresponding adjective, meaning “immediate.”
- Antonyms: dopo means “later” or “afterward”; lentamente means “slowly,” contrasting with the speed rather than the timing of an action.
Common phrases & collocations
Make “subito” part of your vocabulary.
Build your Italian vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Lui arriva subito a casa.adverb
He arrives home immediately.
Vengo subito!adverb
I'm coming immediately!
Keep exploring Italian
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad