What is the musical term for "very soft"?

The term that means "very soft" in musical dynamics is indeed pianissimo. This word is derived from Italian, where "piano" means soft, and the double "issimo" denotes a higher degree of the indicated quality, which in this case indicates a level softer than just "soft." In orchestral and solo performance contexts, pianissimo signals the performer to play with a very gentle and quiet sound, allowing for subtlety and nuance in the music.

Piano, while also indicating softness, refers to a softer dynamic than "forte" (loud), but it is not as quiet as pianissimo. Presto refers to a very fast tempo, and poco translates to "a little," which does not relate to dynamics but rather modifies other terms like tempo or intensity. Thus, understandings of these terms are crucial for musicians, as they guide performance interpretations and deliver the composer's intent effectively.