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Metto i tappi perché il vicino non parla piano.

Metto i tappi perché il vicino non parla piano.
I put in earplugs because the neighbor does not speak softly.
From Lesson 361:Adjectives as adverbs (parlare chiaro)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Metto i tappi perché il vicino non parla piano.

Why is piano used here instead of an adverb ending in -mente?
Piano is an adjective being used directly as an adverb. In Italian, certain adjectives can modify verbs directly without taking an -mente ending. When used this way, they act as invariable adverbs, meaning their ending never changes to match a noun.
Doesn't piano usually mean slowly? How do I know it means softly here?
Piano can refer to either speed (slowly) or volume (quietly). You have to rely on context. Since the speaker needs earplugs (tappi) because of how the neighbor speaks, it clearly refers to the volume of their voice.
Is tappi the standard word for earplugs?
Yes! A tappo is generally a plug, cap, or cork. The full term for earplugs is tappi per le orecchie, but Italians usually shorten it to tappi when the context makes it obvious.
Why use metto instead of a more specific verb for putting in?
Mettere is an extremely versatile verb. Beyond just placing an object on a surface, it is the standard verb used for putting anything onto or into your body, including clothes, contact lenses, and earplugs.

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