andamento

Andamento is an Italian noun that denotes the course, progress, or movement of something over time. It is commonly used to describe how a process develops, including its pace, direction, and overall shape. In wider Italian usage, it can refer to tempo, trend, or flow depending on context.

In music, andamento denotes the general tempo and rhythmic movement of a piece or section. It conveys not only speed but character, and is often realized through tempo markings (such as andante, adagio, allegro) or descriptive terms. Performers may adjust the andamento within a passage, though this is typically guided by the composer or editor.

In statistics, economics, and journalism, andamento describes the observable trend or pattern in data over time. It indicates movement such as growth, decline, or fluctuations, and is analyzed to distinguish long-term trajectory from short-term variation. Phrases like andamento del mercato or andamento delle vendite are common in Italian discourse.

In literary criticism and narrative arts, andamento refers to the pacing or flow of events—the tempo of narration, the sequencing of scenes, and the momentum of a plot. It encompasses how quickly the story unfolds and how tension rises or dissipates.

The term derives from andare, to go, and in Italian usage it centers on movement or progression across contexts, from music to data to narrative.