Meaning
good heavens!, by Jove!
- An exclamation of surprise, wonder, admiration, or indignation.
In a sentence
Perbacco, sei già riuscito a risolvere questo difficile problema!
Good heavens, you have already managed to solve this difficult problem!
Perbacco! Non mi aspettavo di vederti qui oggi.
By Jove! I wasn't expecting to see you here today.
Perbacco, non sapevo che parlassi così bene l'italiano!
Good heavens, I didn't know you spoke Italian so well!
Usage notes
- Slightly old-fashioned, mild, and inoffensive euphemism derived from 'per Bacco' (by Bacchus).
- Often used humorously or in polite speech to express sudden amazement.