tantissimi

Tantissimi is an Italian adjective and intensifier used to express a very large quantity or degree. It functions mainly to modify nouns or to emphasize how much something is, and it can also appear as an adverb in everyday speech. The forms follow gender and number: tantissimo (masc. sing.), tantissimi (masc. pl.), tantissima (fem. sing.), tantissime (fem. pl.). When used as an adverb, tantissimo is invariable and means "very much" or "to a great extent," as in ti amo tantissimo.

Etymology-wise, tantissimi is derived from tanto, the basic word for “much,” with the superlative suffix -issimo. The plural forms are used before plural nouns, while the singular forms agree with a singular noun (tantissimo tempo, tantissima fame).

Usage notes and examples: Tantissimi is common in both spoken and written Italian. It often appears before a plural noun: tantissimi libri, tantissime persone. It can also function as a standalone exclamation in greetings: Tantissimi auguri! In cases with uncountable or mass concepts, the singlar form is typical: tantissimo tempo, tantissima dustanza. In formal writing, it is sometimes preferred to use more precise quantifiers, but tantissimi remains widely understood and frequent in contemporary Italian.

Related terms include tanto (the base form), tantissimo (adverbial or adj. masc. sing.), and synonyms like moltissimi or estremamente, depending on nuance. Tantissimi highlights a strong emphasis on quantity or degree without implying exact counts.