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Capisce?

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pmead | 16:08 Fri 27th Feb 2004 | Phrases & Sayings
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What is the correct spelling of 'capisce' meaning 'you understand' (as used in gansta/maffia movies)? Is it actually Italian or just slang?
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"Capisce" is a real Italian word, usually interrogative but I think it can also be used as an affirmation of understanding - maby someone else can confirm this? Hence "Capisce?" would mean "Do you understand?". The usual reply would be "Capisco" - "I understand".
Click http://www.wordwizard.com/clubhouse/founddiscuss1.
asp?Num=4408
for the Word Detective website discussion of the word. They claim it's American-Italian slang and that the correct spelling would be 'capisci'. Have a look.
A bit of simultaneous typing, there, Dave! You pipped me at the post.
LOL Quizmonster - at the expense of my typing I notice :o)
I decided to look a bit further into this and the following came from an American online dictionary: "capiche - 1940s slang, from It. capisci? "do you understand?" (also coppish, kabish, capeesh, etc.)."

It definitely appears to be slang based on the proper Italian word, 'capisci'.

Its usage in the US may well be slang but "capisce" itself is the 3rd person present indicative of the Italian verb "capire" (to understand) - its full conjugation can be found here - http://www.verbix.com/webverbix/cache/4.capire.htm
l
- hope that helps!
The problem with the third person singular form, Dave, - which 'capisce' may very well be in proper Italian - is that the word is invariably used in Mafia movies in either first or second person singular present indicative situations!

In other words, it always means: "(Do you) understand?" or: "(Yes, I) understand." and never, as far as I've seen anyway: "He/she/it understands.") Cheers

Sometimes you cast a fly on still water and you're there 'til sundown, and sometimes you just get a bite :o)
The spelling is like "kapishe" [kaˈpiʃe], and it is absolutely Italian. It may be used as a question or in a normal speech, since it is the present of the third-person singular (he/she) of the verb "capire" (to understand) - it just depends on what you want to say. The third-person singular is also used in Italian as courtesy form, so when one is talking to a person he doesn't know or to whom he wants to show respect. Hence, it may be common to listen to this form used in those "mafia situations" (meaning - often in a kinda threatening way - "do you understand?/ are you getting the point?") since they always act like gentlemen in the stereotype characterizing them, using an elegant style in speaking even though they're killing someone.

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