Trascorsi

Trascorsi is the plural form of trascorso, used both as a past participle of the verb trascorrere and as a noun meaning “the past” or “past events.” As a participle, it appears in phrases such as tempo trascorso, referring to time that has elapsed, and in sentences like Sono trascorsi cinque anni, meaning five years have passed. As a noun, trascorso can denote the events or period of the past, with i trascorsi della vita or i trascorsi della guerra used to evoke bygone times.

Etymology and grammar: trascorso comes from the verb trascorrere, itself from Latin transcurrere (trans- across + currere to run). The sense expanded from “to run across” to “to pass by” in reference to time or events. Grammatically, trascorso acts as an adjective agreeing with the noun it modifies (for example, anni trascorsi, tre mesi trascorsi) and can also function substantively as i trascorsi to mean “the past” or “past events.” In standard usage, the phrase tempo trascorso is common, while the form preceded by the article or determiners can emphasize either elapsed time or remembered events.

Usage and nuance: The expression is mainly neutral and descriptive, suitable in both everyday speech and formal writing. When referring to time that has passed, people typically use tempo trascorso or gli anni trascorsi. When speaking of historical or personal memories, i trascorsi della vita or i trascorsi della guerra foreground the past as a set of events. The plural trascorsi often carries a sense of retrospection, but remains clearly synonymous with past periods or elapsed time.

See also: trascorrere, tempo trascorso, passato.