Mattutino

Mattutino is an Italian term used as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it means related to or occurring in the morning, and it can describe time, events, or things associated with the early part of the day. As a noun, it can refer to the morning period itself in some contexts, though in practice it more often appears in compound expressions such as la messa mattutina or l’ufficio mattutino.

Etymology and grammar: Mattutino derives from matutinus in Latin, with the feminine form mattutina and the plural mattutini (masculine) or mattutine (feminine). It is used with masculine nouns (il turno mattutino, il servizio mattutino) and with feminine nouns (la colazione mattutina), reflecting standard Italian gender agreement.

Religious and institutional usage: In Catholic and other Christian liturgical contexts, mattutino commonly appears in phrases like l’ufficio mattutino (the morning office or Matins/Lauds) and la messa mattutina (the morning Mass). These terms designate prayer services or Masses celebrated early in the day, typically before the main daily activities.

Common usage: Beyond liturgy, mattutino appears in everyday language to describe morning-specific aspects, such as rumore mattutino (morning noise) or rintocco mattutino (the morning chime). It is also used to indicate morning shifts or services, as in turno mattutino.

Summary: Mattutino is a versatile Italian word for morning-related concepts, with robust usage in both everyday language and religious contexts. It highlights the linguistic distinction between morning and other parts of the day while fitting neatly into standard Italian inflection.