attenti

Attenti is an Italian term that functions primarily as an exclamation or as an adjective form. In everyday Italian, attenti is commonly used to tell a group of people to be careful or to watch out, equivalent to “Be careful!” or “Watch out!” When used as an adjective, it is the masculine plural form of attento, meaning careful or attentive, and it agrees with masculine plural nouns (e.g., guardie attente cannot). Singular forms include attento (masculine singular) and attenta (feminine singular), while the feminine plural is attente.

Etymology and linguistic notes. The word derives from the Latin roots attentus and attentio, connected to the verb attendere, meaning to pay attention or to stretch toward. The evolution from Latin to Italian yielded the adjective attento and its plural attenti, which in certain contexts functions as an interjective warning or exhortation.

Usage and context. Attenti appears most often in informal speech, especially as a direct warning to a group. It is also encountered in signs, announcements, and spoken dialogue where the speaker seeks to prompt immediate caution. In more formal writing or speech, speakers tend to use the noun phrase attenzione or more explicit phrases like “Fate attenzione” or “State attenti.”

Relation to related terms. Attenti is closely related to attenzione (attention), attento (careful), and attentamente (carefully). Together, these forms cover a range of meanings from cognitive focus to practical caution in Italian.

See also: attenzione, attento, attentamente.