passi

Passi is the Italian plural form of passo, meaning steps or paces. In everyday Italian, passi refers to the act of stepping or the sequence of steps taken when walking. It also denotes discrete movements in dance or marching, and in choreography or dance instruction it can describe a sequence of movements to be performed. In music or performance contexts, passi may appear in descriptive phrases rather than as a formal musical term.

In metaphorical usage, passi figures in expressions about progress or method, such as fare passi avanti (to take steps forward) or non fare passi falsi (to avoid missteps). The word can thus refer to both physical movements and stages or procedures within a process.

Etymology and language notes: Passi derives from passo, which comes from Latin passus, meaning a step or pace. It is related to the verb passare (to pass) and to other Romance-language terms for “step” or “pace.”

Surname and culture: Passi is an Italian surname and may be found among Italian communities abroad. It can also occur as a component in compound place names in Italian-speaking regions, reflecting a broader toponymic or family-name usage of the root passo.

See also: Passo, Passare, Passo a passo.