chiuso

Chiuso is an Italian word that serves two related functions in everyday language. It is an adjective meaning "closed" and the past participle of the verb chiudere, "to close." As an adjective, it describes a closed state (for example, una porta chiusa) and as a past participle it forms compound tenses such as ho chiuso la porta.

Etymology and cognates: Chiuso derives from Latin clausus and has cognates in many Romance languages, including Spanish cerrado, French fermé, and Portuguese fechado.

Grammar and usage: Chiuso agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: chiuso (masc. sg), chiusa (fem. sg), chiusi (masc. pl), chiuse (fem. pl). With the verb chiudere, the past participle is typically used with avere, but it may agree with a preceding direct object: La porta che ho chiusa, or L'ho chiusa.

Usage in signage and common phrases: In stores, signs "Chiuso" indicate that an establishment is closed; phrases include "Chiuso per ferie" (closed for holidays) and the opposite "Aperto" for open.

Other uses: Chiuso may also appear as a surname; it is not among the most common Italian surnames.

See also: chiusura, chiudere, chiudersi.