Metà vs Mezzo

In Italian, there are two ways to translate the English word “half”: mezzo and metà.

For example:

• Ho spezzato il pane a metà.

I broke the bread in half.

• Giulia ha bevuto mezza tazza di caffè.

Giulia drank half a cup of coffee.

These two words convey a similar meaning, but their usage is different depending on the context.

This can be tricky for non-native speakers, but if you’re looking for a clear explanation, you’re in the right place!

How to use metà?

Metà is a feminine noun and is used to describe something that is divided into two equal parts.

Just like other nouns ending in -tà, metà doesn’t have a plural form. So, even when referring to more than one half, we say due metà (two halves).

Here are a few examples:

• La metà di 12 è 6.

Half of 12 is 6.

• Abbiamo finito la metà dei compiti.

We finished half of the homework.

• Le due metà dell’arancia sono uguali.

The two halves of the orange are equal.

How to use mezzo?

Mezzo is an adjective and must accompany a noun. Like all adjectives in Italian, it agrees with the gender and number of the noun it describes.

It changes form as follows:

• mezzo (masculine singular)

• mezza (feminine singular)

• mezzi (masculine plural)

• mezze (feminine plural)

Take a look at these examples:

• Ho letto mezzo capitolo prima di dormire.

I read half a chapter before bed.

• Abbiamo mangiato mezza pizza ieri sera.

We ate half a pizza last night.

• Non mi piacciono le mezze scuse.

I don’t like half-hearted excuses.

Set expressions with mezzo

Mezzo is also used in various idiomatic phrases like:

• in mezzo a

in the middle of

• per mezzo di

through/by means of

• mettersi in mezzo

to interfere/get in the way

• nel bel mezzo di

right in the middle of

We also find mezzo in compound words such as:

• mezzanotte (midnight)

• mezzogiorno (noon)

How to use mezzo as an adverb?

Sometimes, mezzo functions as an adverb. When used this way, it remains unchanged and means a metà (halfway) or per metà (in part).

In this case, you can leave mezzo as it is, or you can match it to the subject. Either way is grammatically acceptable:

• Il libro era mezzo aperto. / Il libro era mezzo aperto.

The book was half-open.

• Era mezzo arrabbiato. / Era mezza arrabbiata.

He/She was half angry.

This flexibility gives you more options when describing something that’s partially true or incomplete.