prego

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please, you're welcome, go ahead, to pray, to beg
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/ˈpreɡo/
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An Italian word that serves as a polite formula for offering or replying to thanks, a verb meaning to pray or beg, and, in internet slang, a label for a staged pregnancy

Examples

  • Se vuoi, prego, prendi il mio ombrello.
    If you like, please, take my umbrella.
  • Ti prego, ascolta la mia storia.
    I beg, listen to my story.
  • Prego, il tuo tavolo è pronto.
    You’re welcome, your table is ready.
  • Prego, entra pure.
    Please, come in.
  • Il trend della prego ha spopolato sui social.
    The pregnancy stunt trend has gone viral on social media.

Similar words

invoco
di nulla
finta gravidanza
pregherei
fai pure
gravidanza fittizia
figurati
richiedo
procedi
pregnancy hoax

Meanings

Polite invitation or response

interjection
everyday
neutral
Used to invite someone to go ahead, to offer something, or as a reply to thanks, equivalent to ‘you’re welcome’ or ‘please’

Usage

Use prego when inviting someone to go ahead or replying to thanks, as a courteous way to say “please” or “you’re welcome”.

Examples

  • Prego, entra pure.
    Please, come in.
  • Se vuoi, prego, prendi il mio ombrello.
    If you like, please, take my umbrella.
  • Hai finito? Prego, puoi sederti.
    Are you finished? You’re welcome, you may sit down.
  • Prego, la porta è aperta.
    You’re welcome, the door is open.
  • Ti offro un caffè, prego.
    I offer you a coffee, please.
  • Prego, il tuo tavolo è pronto.
    You’re welcome, your table is ready.

Common mistakes

Confusing the interjection with the verb or using it in the wrong grammatical slot
IncorrectCorrect
Prego il tuo aiuto. Prego, accetta il mio aiuto.
Il prego è stato accettato. La preghiera è stata accettata.
Grazie, prego il sale. Grazie, prego.

Similar words

To pray or beg

verb
religious
neutral
To address a deity in prayer or to ask earnestly for something

Usage

Use prego when you address a deity or make an earnest request, functioning like “to pray” or “to beg”.

Examples

  • Prego il Signore di concedermi la salute.
    I pray the Lord to grant me health.
  • Nel silenzio della notte, prego per la pace del mondo.
    In the silence of night, I pray for world peace.
  • Ti prego, ascolta la mia storia.
    I beg, listen to my story.
  • Durante la messa, tutti pregano insieme.
    During Mass, everyone prays together.
  • Non prego più, ho perso la speranza.
    I no longer pray, I have lost hope.
  • Il pellegrino prega davanti al santuario.
    The pilgrim prays before the shrine.

Common mistakes

Mixing the verb sense with the interjection or using the wrong object
IncorrectCorrect
Prego il pane. Prego Dio per il pane.
Io prego il tuo aiuto. Io prego Dio per il tuo aiuto.
Prego di andare. Prego di andare (I beg to go).

Similar words

Fake pregnancy claim

noun
slang
informal
A term used online to describe a staged or imagined pregnancy, often referring to a woman who appears pregnant but is not

Usage

Use prego in internet contexts to label a staged pregnancy, not as a literal description of a real pregnancy.

Examples

  • Il suo profilo è pieno di foto di una prego che non esiste.
    Her profile is full of photos of a fake pregnancy that doesn't exist.
  • Molti utenti hanno commentato la prego come uno scherzo.
    Many users commented on the pregnancy hoax as a joke.
  • La prego è stata smascherata dal giornalista.
    The fake pregnancy was exposed by the journalist.
  • Condividi la tua storia di prego per avvertire gli altri.
    Share your pregnancy hoax story to warn others.
  • Il trend della prego ha spopolato sui social.
    The pregnancy stunt trend has gone viral on social media.
  • Alcuni credono che la prego sia reale, ma è solo una finzione.
    Some think the fake pregnancy is real, but it's just a fabrication.

Common mistakes

Treating the slang noun as a regular noun or confusing it with the interjection
IncorrectCorrect
La prego è molto bella. La finta gravidanza è molto bella.
Ho una prego. Ho una finta gravidanza.
Il prego è diventato virale. Il caso di finta gravidanza è diventato virale.

Similar words

Usage

Use prego according to its sense: as a polite invitation or reply, as a verb for praying or begging, or as slang for a staged pregnancy.

Common mistakes

Confusing the interjection with the verb leads to sentences like prego il tuo aiuto instead of the correct prego, accetta il mio aiuto.

Etymology

FAQ

What does prego mean as an interjection?

Prego is used to politely invite someone to go ahead or to reply to thanks, similar to “please” or “you’re welcome”.

How is prego used as a verb?

When used as a verb, prego means to pray or to beg earnestly, often followed by a deity or a request.

In what online context is prego used as slang?

On the internet, prego labels a staged or imagined pregnancy, a “pregnancy hoax” that appears real but is not.

Can prego be used in formal religious settings?

Yes, the verb sense fits formal prayers, while the interjection remains informal and is not typical in liturgical language.

What are common mistakes when using prego?

A frequent error is mixing the interjection with the verb, such as saying prego il tuo aiuto instead of the correct prego, accetta il mio aiuto.

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