Anno (transl. Year)
🗓️ 15 maggio 2024 — Dive into today's Italian word of the day, its origins, and its uses. Explore Italian language and culture with us!
[AN-no]
NOUN
Year.
A year is traditionally understood as the time it takes for the Earth to orbit the Sun once.
Depending on the context, you may combine anno with other words to create a new concept. Here are the most common:
Anno bisestile → Leap year
Anno sabbatico → Sabbatical year
Anno accademico → Academic year
🚨 PRONUNCIATION ALERT
Many learners fail to pronounce the double N, which may lead to embarrassing misunderstandings, as the words’ meanings with one and two Ns differ vastly.
The word ANNO must be pronounced distinctly to differentiate it from ANO [anus].
💬 EXAMPLE SENTENCES
L'anno scorso ho deciso di viaggiare di più.
Last year I decided to travel more.
Vent'anni fa lì era tutta campagna.
Twenty years ago, it was all in the countryside there.
Tra un anno farò il giro della Sardegna.
In a year's time, I will tour Sardinia.
I gemelli quanti anni hanno?
How old are the twins?
Gli anni passano velocemente.
Years go by quickly.
Ci vorranno degli anni per completare quel ponte, se mai si farà.
It will take years to complete that bridge, if it is ever done.
Note
In the following sentences, you’ll see the words “Annata” and “Annate”.
Annata/e refers specifically to a year considered in terms of the quality or characteristics of a particular product, usually agricultural, like wine, olive oil, or even a fashion collection.
So, while anno can be used more broadly for any context involving years, annata is specifically used when discussing years in relation to the quality or outcome of seasonal or annual productions.
Quest'annata di vino è eccezionale.
This year's wine is exceptional.
Le annate recenti sono state molto produttive per l'oliveto.
Recent vintages have been very productive for the olive grove.
⚡IDIOMS
Anno nuovo, vita nuova
Literal
New year, new lifeSimilar English expression
New year, fresh start
Buon anno
Literal
Good yearSimilar English expression
Happy new year
Anni di piombo
Literal
Years of LeadSimilar English expression
-
Referring to a period of terrorism in Italy during the 1970s.
Anni verdi
Literal
Green yearsSimilar English expression
Prime of life
🔎 WORD ORIGINS
Anno comes from the Latin "annus," which means year.
This Latin root has contributed to many time-related words across various languages. In Latin, annus is believed to be derived from an older Indo-European word, which is potentially linked to cyclic occurrences in nature.
The etymology of annus is connected to the Proto-Indo-European root "*at-no-", which is derived from the broader root "*at-", implying 'to go' or 'beyond'. This origin points to the concept of a cycle or a period that goes around and returns to the start, reflecting the cyclical nature of years.
Additionally, "annus" has influenced terms across many languages:
English: "annual" and "anniversary" (through Old French)
German: "Jahr" (an evolution from the same Indo-European roots but through different phonetic shifts)
Spanish and Portuguese: "año" and "ano".
🤓 DID YOU KNOW THAT…
SURPRISE YOUR ITALIAN FRIENDS WITH CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT ITALY AND ITS CULTURE
Ever spotted Roman numerals on an ancient monument and wondered about their meaning? Let's decode the historic dates carved in stone!
Here's a quick guide to mastering Roman numerals like a pro:
Basic Symbols: Know these crucial characters:
I → 1
V → 5
X → 10
L → 50
C → 100
D → 500
M → 1000
Adding Up
If a symbol follows a bigger or equal one, add its value!
Like VI = V + I = 5 + 1 = 6.Clever Subtraction
If a smaller numeral precedes a larger one, it’s subtraction time.
IV = V - I = 5 - 1 = 4.
👉 YOUR TURN
Can you use the word ANNO correctly in a sentence?
Based on the definition and examples provided, write a sentence using today's word of the day and share it as a comment on this post. It is important that your sentence makes sense and shows that you understand the word's definition, but we also encourage you to use creativity and have fun.