Mastering the translation of the English word "about" is one of the most revealing milestones in learning Italian. Because about functions as a preposition, an adverb, and an adjective in English, there is no single Italian equivalent. Instead, the correct choice depends entirely on context: are you estimating a number, discussing a topic, describing movement, or expressing an intention?
This guide breaks down every major usage of about with clear explanations, practical examples, and the nuance required to sound like a native speaker Less friction, more output..
The Core Translations: A Quick Reference
Before diving deep, here is the "cheat sheet" for the most frequent translations. Also, keep in mind that prepositions in Italian often contract with definite articles (e. g., su + il = sul, di + la = della).
| English Context | Primary Italian Translation | Secondary Options |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate quantity/time | Circa | Pressappoco, più o meno, all'incirca |
| Topic/Subject matter | Su | Di, riguardo a, a proposito di, circa (formal) |
| Movement/Location (around) | Per / In giro per | Intorno a, attorno a, nei dintorni di |
| On the verge of (action) | Stare per | Essere sul punto di |
| Concerning/Regarding (formal) | Riguardo a / Riguardo | In merito a, in riferimento a, rispetto a |
| Purpose/Reason (be about to) | Perché / Per via di | A causa di |
1. Expressing Approximation: Circa, Più o Meno, and Pressappoco
When about modifies a number, a quantity, a price, or a time estimate, the standard go-to word is circa. It is invariable (it never changes form) and usually precedes the number.
- Arriverò tra circa dieci minuti. (I will arrive in about ten minutes.)
- Il biglietto costa circa cinquanta euro. (The ticket costs about fifty euros.)
- Erano circa cento persone. (There were about a hundred people.)
Pro Tip: In spoken Italian, più o meno (literally "more or less") is extremely common and often feels more natural than circa. It typically follows the number.
- Arriverò tra dieci minuti, più o meno. (I'll arrive in ten minutes, more or less.)
- Costa cinquanta euro, più o meno. (It costs fifty euros, give or take.)
For a slightly more colloquial or vague approximation, use pressappoco or all'incirca.
- Ci vogliono pressappoco due ore. (It takes roughly two hours.)
- Siamo arrivati all'incirca alle otto. (We arrived at around eight o'clock.)
2. Discussing Topics: Su, Di, and the Art of Prepositions
This is where learners struggle most. In English, we say "a book about history," "we talked about you," and "I'm worried about the exam." Italian requires three different structures Turns out it matters..
A. Su + Articulated Preposition (The Standard "On the subject of")
Use su (on) followed by the definite article when referring to the subject matter of a book, movie, conversation, lesson, or conference. This translates best to "on the topic of."
- Un libro sulla storia romana. (A book about Roman history.) — su + la = sulla
- Una conferenza sul cambiamento climatico. (A conference about climate change.) — su + il = sul
- Abbiamo parlato dei tuoi progetti. (We talked about your plans.) — Note: Here "parlare di" is used (see below), but for nouns like "conference/book on...", use su.
B. Di / Parlare di (Talking About Someone/Something)
When the verb is parlare (to speak/talk), discutere (to discuss), or pensare (to think), you must use the preposition di (of). If a definite article follows, di contracts (di + il = del, di + la = della, etc.) Surprisingly effective..
- Di cosa parlate? (What are you talking about?)
- Penso spesso a te. (I often think about you.) — Wait! Pensare uses a (to) for people, di for opinions. See the "Tricky Verbs" section below.
- Abbiamo discusso del problema. (We discussed about the problem / We discussed the problem.)
C. Riguardo a, A proposito di, In merito a (Formal / Written)
In formal emails, business contexts, or academic writing, avoid su or di. Use these set phrases meaning "regarding" or "concerning."
- Le scrivo riguardo a la sua candidatura. (I am writing regarding your application.)
- ** A proposito di Marco, l'hai visto?** (By the way / Speaking of Marco, have you seen him?)
- ** In merito a quanto discusso ieri...** (Concerning what was discussed yesterday...)
3. Movement and Location: Around and In the Vicinity
When about implies physical movement without a fixed destination ("walking about the city") or location ("somewhere about here"), Italian uses specific phrases for "around."
Per / In giro per (Wandering / Moving around)
This is the most natural way to say "walking about" or "driving about."
- Ho camminato per Roma tutto il giorno. (I walked about/around Rome all day.)
- I bambini corrono in giro per il giardino. (The kids are running about/around the garden.)
Intorno a / Attorno a (Surrounding / Circular position)
Use these when something encircles an object or people gather around something Turns out it matters..
- C'era una folla intorno al cantante. (There was a crowd about/around the singer.)
- Ha messo le braccia attorno al collo. (He put his arms about/around her neck.)
Nei dintorni di / Nei pressi di (In the vicinity / Nearby)
For "somewhere about here" or "in the area about..."
- Abita nei dintorni di Milano. (He lives about/around the Milan area.)
- C'è una farmacia nei pressi della stazione. (There is a pharmacy about/near the station.)
