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Capisce?
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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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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.
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.
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!
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
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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