pacato

Pacato is an Italian adjective meaning calm, composed, placid, or tranquil. It derives from Latin pacatus, from pac- “peace,” and is used in Italian to describe people, moods, and atmospheres. For example, una persona pacata or un paesaggio pacato conveys a sense of restraint and quietness. In everyday language, pacato contrasts with more energetic terms such as vivace or agitato, and can describe temperament, weather, or ambience.

In music, pacato appears as an expression marking, signaling a calm and restrained character in the performance. It indicates a departure from more animated contrasts, often aligning with slower tempos or a subdued, introspective feel. The term forms part of the broader set of Italian mood markings used in scores, alongside tranquillo, sereno, and lento.

Grammatically, pacato has feminine and plural forms: pacata (feminine), pacati (masculine plural), and pacate (feminine plural). The adverbial form is pacatamente, meaning “in a calm or tranquil manner.” Overall, pacato functions as a versatile descriptor in both everyday Italian and musical notation, conveying quiet, peaceful, or restrained character.