Signore e signori It. "signore" corresponds to Sir (in vocatives), Mr, and (gentle)man. Before names it is often shortened to Sig. in writing. Examples: "Per favore, signore, mi sa dire che ore sono?" ( "Il Sig. Donadio abita al pianterreno" ( "Mamma, ci sono due signori alla porta" ( The f. form "signora" corresponds to Madam (in vocatives), Mrs/Ms, and lady/woman. Before names it is often shortened to Sig.ra in writing. Examples: "Scusi, signora, è lei la Sig.ra Mariella Bianchi?" ( "Quella signora con l'abito azzurro fa l'insegnante." (
"Signore e signori" is the usual opening in public speaking ( "Signore" used to denote the sovereign of a Signoria, a sort of dukedom of the 14th and 15th centuries: "Lorenzo de' Medici fu un grande Signore di Firenze" ( "Il Signore" means The Lord, that is, God. |