by Zwapp December 15, 2018

Italian Word for “now”. It’s used in the South of the country, and it probably comes from the Latin word “Mox” which means “then, early, in a moment”
The meaning of this word can variate depending on how you pronounce it or how many times you say it. If you say “Mo” with a very long “O”, maybe with an impressed/shocked face, it’s going to mean “Wow, that’s crazy” or “Wow, that’s terrible.”
If you say “Mo mò” (using the word two times talking fast, putting accent on the last O) it’s going to mean “a little while ago” or “in a few minutes”, even if sometimes it can just be a way to procrastinate something that you don’t want to do (in that case, the word is going to be accompanied by an annoyed gesture/face.
Another meaning for this word is pretty similar to the “long O version”, but slightly different. In fact, if an Italian says “Mo” with a long O and a very pissed off face, it’s probably going to mean “Ok, we’re fucked” or “Here’s the fuckening” or “This should not have happened”. I really hope you won’t have the occasion to see a pissed off southern Italian.
Note: “Mo” actually doesn’t exists in the Italian dictionary, it’s dialect, but it can be very useful and it’s very very common, even because of its various meanings. Be careful not to use it in all situations.
Remember, Italians generally use these words with hand gestures too, in this case you’re probably going to notice that the hand will point downward, meaning “now”.
The meaning of this word can variate depending on how you pronounce it or how many times you say it. If you say “Mo” with a very long “O”, maybe with an impressed/shocked face, it’s going to mean “Wow, that’s crazy” or “Wow, that’s terrible.”
If you say “Mo mò” (using the word two times talking fast, putting accent on the last O) it’s going to mean “a little while ago” or “in a few minutes”, even if sometimes it can just be a way to procrastinate something that you don’t want to do (in that case, the word is going to be accompanied by an annoyed gesture/face.
Another meaning for this word is pretty similar to the “long O version”, but slightly different. In fact, if an Italian says “Mo” with a long O and a very pissed off face, it’s probably going to mean “Ok, we’re fucked” or “Here’s the fuckening” or “This should not have happened”. I really hope you won’t have the occasion to see a pissed off southern Italian.
Note: “Mo” actually doesn’t exists in the Italian dictionary, it’s dialect, but it can be very useful and it’s very very common, even because of its various meanings. Be careful not to use it in all situations.
Remember, Italians generally use these words with hand gestures too, in this case you’re probably going to notice that the hand will point downward, meaning “now”.
Quando sei arrivato?
When did you arrive?
Mo!
Now.
Ho vinto la lotteria!.
I won the lottery!
Mo! (long O version)
Wow!
Quando andiamo a comprare il sapone?
When are we going to buy soap?
Mo mò.
In a few minutes.
or
Quando è arrivata tua madre?
When did your mom arrive?
Mo mò
A few minutes ago.
When did you arrive?
Mo!
Now.
Ho vinto la lotteria!.
I won the lottery!
Mo! (long O version)
Wow!
Quando andiamo a comprare il sapone?
When are we going to buy soap?
Mo mò.
In a few minutes.
or
Quando è arrivata tua madre?
When did your mom arrive?
Mo mò
A few minutes ago.
by randomguyfromitaly July 12, 2019

We shot the laundrymat scene. Mos due to the background noise of dryers and the generator hooked up outside. We'll re loop the dialogue later.
by 4realazitgits April 12, 2021

by AJJAMALE April 23, 2022

by Dude's Dude August 7, 2010

by eat fatty February 1, 2024

4 big mo’s
by OLiscrxckedyo April 14, 2022
