pianissimo assai
- adjective
- /ˌpiːəˈnɪsɪmoʊ əˈsaɪ/
:
pianísimo assai
- The conductor instructed the orchestra to play pianissimo assai during the final movement.
Examples
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Can you play this section pianissimo assai?
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The composer marked the choir part as pianissimo assai for a delicate effect.
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In the second movement, the strings enter pianissimo assai, barely audible to the audience.
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The opening passage should be played pianissimo assai to create a sense of mystery.
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In the second movement, the strings enter pianissimo assai, barely audible to the audience.
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The composer marked the choir part as pianissimo assai for a delicate effect.
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The opening passage should be played pianissimo assai to create a sense of mystery.
Synonyms
178
1.0
In a quiet, low voice or at low volume
4
2.8
In music, played very quietly so the sound is almost not heard
To play or sing very softly
In music, softly so notes sound quiet
Antonyms
How Loud
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
7.5
- Specialized
24
3.1
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
Both constituents directly contribute to the overall meaning: 'pianissimo' (very quiet) modified by 'assai' (very) yields an intensified degree — 'very, very soft'. Although these are Italian score markings used in a musical register, the compositional pattern (intensifier + degree adjective/adverb) is transparent and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the two words can readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Pianissimo assai comes from Italian words that mean extra soft: piano means 'soft', the ending -issimo makes it 'very', and assai also means 'very'. So, the phrase tells musicians to play 'very, very soft'.