This is the 341st most frequent Italian word.
fu
"Fu" is the Italian third-person singular past historic (passato remoto) form of the verb "essere," meaning "was" or "were."
The word 'fu' is the third person singular past definite (preterite) form of 'essere' (to be), used to describe events that happened in the distant or complete past.
Fu un grande poeta italiano.
He was a great Italian poet.
Here, 'fu' again serves as the past definite form, particularly in describing an action completed in a historical context.
La casa che visitammo fu costruita nel 1800.
The house we visited was built in 1800.
In this case, 'fu' introduces a specific moment in the past, emphasizing its significance or turning point nature.