What is the Italian word for "suddenly" in musical terminology?

The Italian word for "suddenly" in musical terminology is "subito." This term is commonly used in sheet music to instruct musicians to make a sudden change in dynamics or tempo. For instance, when a piece instructs to play "piano subito" or "forte subito," it means to suddenly shift from quiet to loud or vice versa.

The other terms, while related to musical concepts, do not convey the same meaning. "Improvviso" is used to describe something that is unexpected or abrupt but does not specifically translate to "suddenly" in the musical context. "Presto" means very fast, indicating a quick tempo, while "rapido" similarly denotes speed but does not imply suddenness. Thus, "subito" is the precise term used in music to indicate an immediate and abrupt change.