pronto
8
8.8
A word used in Italy when answering the phone to say hello
- interjection
- /ˈprɒntoʊ/
- US
:
pronto
- When the phone rang, she immediately said, 'pronto!' to greet the caller.
- here, pronto
- wants you back, pronto
- go, pronto
Examples
-
He picked up the receiver and replied 'pronto!' to let them know he was listening.
-
Ciao! You answered the phone with a cheerful 'pronto!'
-
Get those boys back to the bird, pronto!
-
I gotta get out of here, pronto.
-
I gotta get to California, pronto.
-
You start writing songs for me, pronto.
-
You better get back there, pronto.
-
Get that boy out of here and over to the group home, pronto.
Fiction book (1998) -
We're in a car; we gotta get off the road, pronto!
Fiction book (1994) -
I needed to get to my room, pronto.
Blog text (4)
Synonyms
47
8.5
A casual way to say hello or goodbye in Italy
is used specifically when answering the telephone rather than for farewells
hola
vspronto
1
7.8
A friendly call to get someone's attention or say hello
is used chiefly when answering telephone calls in Italian contexts
9.4
A short greeting people say when they answer the phone
is used the same way mainly in Italian-speaking contexts
Surface Forms
pronto main
Etymology
Pronto used when answering the phone comes from the same idea of being 'ready', so saying pronto is like saying 'I am ready to talk'.