Learn Italian: A Guide To Learning The Basics of A New Language (2015)
Chapter 19. Verbs
Verbs are words that denote action, state of being, or occurence.
Functions of Verbs
1. A verb indicates the doer of the action
Persons doing the action can be masculine (io, tu, lui), feminine (lei), both masculine and feminine (noi, voi, loro).
2. Verbs indicate how the action is done
There are seven moods in the Italian language and each performs distinct functions and has different forms: the indicative (indicativo), subjunctive (congiuntivo), conditional (condizionale), imperative (imperative), infinitive (infinitive), gerund (gerundio), and participle (participio).
3. A verb tells the time an action happens
Verbs have tenses under different moods.
4. A verb denotes the kind of action taking place
A verb can be transitive, intransitive, passive, or reflexive.
Most Italian verbs end in similar pattern and are grouped and conjugated according to their infinitive endings. There are three distinct patterns: –are, -ere, and –ire and they make up the first, second, and third conjugations respectively.
Examples under the 3 Groups of Conjugations:
The –are verbs:
amare |
to love |
cantare |
to sing |
comprare |
to buy |
lavorare |
to work |
The –ere verbs:
vedere |
to see |
temere |
to fear |
vivere |
to live |
volere |
to want |
The –ire Verbs
salire |
to get in |
aprire |
to open |
dormire |
to sleep |
venire |
to come |
-ire Verbs with different suffix
colpire |
to hit |
sparire |
to disappear |
finire |
to finish |
costruire |
to build |
The Present Indicative Tense
The Italian present tense is basically similar to the English present tense but in addition to signifying action in the present, it can also be used to indicate the present continuous. Since the verb ending already expresses the subject, the subject pronoun can be omitted.
To conjugate regular verbs, simply drop the ending (-are, -ere,- ire) to obtain the verb’s stem then affix the proper ending.
Conjugaton form for the Present Tense
Person |
English |
-are verbs |
-ere verbs |
-ire verbs |
Io |
I |
-o |
-o |
-o |
Tu |
you |
-i |
-i |
-i |
lui/lei |
he/she |
-a |
-e |
-e |
Noi |
we |
-iamo |
-iamo |
-iamo |
Voi |
you |
-ate |
-ete |
-ite |
Loro |
they/you (formal) |
-ano |
-ono |
-ono |
amare |
vedere |
aprire |
(to love) |
(to see) |
(to open) |
Person |
English |
-are verbs |
-ere verbs |
-ire verbs |
Io |
I |
-amo |
vedo |
apro |
Tu |
you |
-ami |
vedi |
apri |
lui/lei |
he/she |
-ama |
vede |
apre |
Noi |
we |
-amiamo |
vediamo |
apriamo |
Voi |
you |
-amate |
vedete |
aprite |
Loro |
they/you (formal) |
-amano |
vedono |
aprono |
The Passato Prossimo
The passato prossimo is probably the most commonly used past tense. It is used to indicate past actions as well as actions that started in the past and continue to the present. The passato prossimo is a compound tense and it makes use of the auxiliary verbs essere and avere in its conjugation.
The verbs avere and essere have irregular conjuctions:
Avere (to have)
Singular |
Plural |
||
Io |
ho |
noi |
abbiamo |
Tu |
hai |
voi |
avete |
Lui/Lei |
ha |
loro |
hanno |
Essere- to be
Singular |
Plural |
||
Io |
sono |
noi |
siamo |
Tu |
sei |
voi |
siete |
Lui/Lei |
è |
loro |
sono |
The Past Participle
The passato prissimo is formed by using the present indicative of the verbs avere and essere plus the past participle form of the verb.
To express the past participle, the verbs change their ending in the following manner:
Example |
|||
-are erbs |
take the ending of –ato |
cantare |
cantato |
-ere verbs |
take the ending of –uto |
volere |
voluto |
-ire verbs |
take the endng of -to |
dormire |
dormito |
The past participles of the auxiliary verbs avere and esser are as follows:
Infinitive |
past participle |
avere |
avuto |
essere |
stato |
Examples:
Io ho mangiato una mela. |
I have eaten an apple. |
L'uomo ha cantato alla festa. |
The man has sung at the party. |
Most Common Italian Verbs
abbandonare |
to abandon, desert |
abitare |
to live (in) |
accadere |
to occur, happen |
accendere |
to light |
accettare |
to accept |
accogliere |
to receive, welcome, accommodate |
accompagnare |
to accompany, go with, follow |
accorger |
to notice, to realize |
affermare |
to declare |
affrontare |
to confront, to face |
aggiungere |
to add |
aiutare |
to help, assist |
allontanare |
to take away, alienate, to send away, to dismiss |
alzare |
to raise, to lift, to hoist, build, erect |
amare |
to love, to be fond of |
ammazzare |
to kill, exhaust, wear out |
ammettere |
to admit, let in, to acknowledge, to assume |
andare |
to go, to work, to fit, to sell, to go away |
annunciare |
to announce, foretell, be a sign of |
apparire |
to appear, to seem, |
appartenere |
to belong to, be a member of |
appoggiare |
to support back, to rest on |
aprire |
to open, to unlock, to unfasten, to spread |
armare |
to arm, to equip, to shore up |
arrestare |
to arrest, stop, or halt |
arrivare |
to arrive, to come, get to |
ascoltare |
to listen to, attend mass, hear a witness |
aspettare |
to wait for, await, excpet |
assicurare |
to insure, to register, to asure |
assistere |
to attend, to witness, to supervise |
assumere |
to engage, take on, employ, to assume |
attaccare |
to attaché, to stick up, to sew, to attack, to start |
attendere |
to wait for, await |
attraversare |
to cross, to go through, to run through |
aumentare |
to increase, to raise |
avanzare |
to put forward, advance, approach |
avere |
to have, to get, to be |
avvenire |
to happen, occur |
avvertire |
to inform, to warn, to perceive or hear |
avvicinare |
to bring near, to approach |
baciare |
to kiss |
badare |
to look after, mind, to care about |
bastare |
to be sufficient |
battere |
to beat, strike, hit, to defeat, to mint coin, |
bere |
to drink, to soak up |
bisognare |
to be necessary, have to, must |
bruciare |
to burn, to cauterize |
buttare |
to throw, discard, |
cadere |
to fall, to crash, to drop |
cambiare |
to change, alter |
camminare |
to walk, to work, go |
cantare |
to sing, to sing of, to crow |
capire |
to understand |
capitare |
to arrive, to happen |
celebrare |
to celebrate, to hold |
cercare |
to look for, to seek |
chiamare |
to call, call out, to phone |
chiedere |
to ask, to ask for |
chiudere |
to close, shut, to block off, to end, to enclose |
colpire |
to strike, to affect |
cominciare |
to start, begin |
compiere |
to carry out, fulfill, finish |
comporre |
to compose, to arrange, dial, to set, to settle |
comprendere |
to include, comprise, consist of |
comprare |
to buy, to bribe |
concedere |
to grant, to concede |
concludere |
to conclude, to finish, end |
condurre |
to take, to run, to drive, to convey |
conoscere |
to know, to enjoy, to have, to experience |
consentire |
to agree, consent to |
conservare |
to keep, to maintain, preserve |
considerare |
to consider, regard |
contare |
to count, to include, to tell |
contenere |
to contain, to hold in check |
continuare |
to continue, carry on |
convincere |
to convince |
coprire |
to cover, to hold, to conceal |
correre |
to run, to hurry, to race, to go round |
costituire |
to set up, to form, to constitute, to appoint |
costringere |
to force or compel |
costruire |
to build, construct |
creare |
to create, to appoint, to set up |
credere |
to believe, to think |
crescere |
to grow, to increase, expand, to wax |
dare |
to give, award, to yield, to make |
decider |
to decide on, to settle, resolve |
dedicare |
to dedicate, to devote |
descrivere |
to describe |
desiderare |
to want, wish for, to desire (sensually) |
determinare |
to determine, cause |
dichiarare |
to declare, announce |
difendere |
to defend, protect |
diffondere |
to give out, diffuse, spread |
dimenticare |
to forget, forget about, leave out |
dimostrare |
to demonstrate, show, display |
dipendere |
to depend on, to be answerable to, be subordinate to |
dire |
to say, tell, mean, recite, to think, to admit |
dirigere |
to run, edit, manage, conduct, to address |
discutere |
to discuss, to question, to argue |
disporre |
to place, arrange, order |
distinguere |
to distinguish, to discern |
distruggere |
to destroy, wipe out, ruin |
diventare |
to become |
divenire |
to become |
divertire |
to entertain, amuse |
divider |
to divide, to share |
domandare |
to ask, to wonder |
dormire |
to sleep |
dovere |
to owe, to have to |
durare |
to last |
elevare |
to raise, to put up |
entrare |
to enter, to come in |
escludere |
to exlude, rule out |
esistere |
to exist |
esporre |
to display, explain, expose |
esprimere |
to express, to voice |
essere |
to be |
estendere |
to extend |
evitare |
to avoid, dodge, evade |
ferire |
to injure, wound, hurt |
fermare |
to stop, to book, to detain |
figurare |
to appear, figure |
finire |
to finish, end, to be finished |
fissare |
to fix, lay down, arrange, to book, reserve |
fondare |
to found, to base |
formare |
to form, shape, to train |
fornire |
to supply |
fuggire |
to avoid, shun, escape |
fumare |
to smoke, to steam |
gettare |
to throw, to cast, to spout, utter, to sprout |
giocare |
to play, gamble, count, to deceive |
girare |
to turn, to go round, to endorse, to circulate |
giudicare |
to judge, to arbitrate in |
giungere |
to arrive at, join |
godere |
to enjoy, rejoice |
gridare |
to shout, scream, cry, yell out |
guardare |
to watch, to check, to lok after, take care of |
guidare |
to guide, lead, drive |
immaginare |
to imagine, suppose |
imparare |
to learn |
impedire |
to prevent, obstruct, hamper |
importare |
to import |
imporre |
to impose, set |
incontrare |
to meet, play against, fight |
indicare |
to indicate, show, to recommend, suggest |
iniziare |
to start, initiate into |
innamorare |
to charm, enchant |
insegnare |
to teach |
insistere |
to insist |
intendere |
to mean, to understand, to hear |
interessare |
to interest, concern, affect |
invitare |
to invite |
lanciare |
to throw, launch, drop, get up to top speed |
lasciare |
to leave, deposit, leave out, forget, to give |
lavorare |
to work, to operate, run |
legare |
to bind, tie, unite |
leggere |
to read, read out loud |
levare |
to remove, subtract, to raise, take off |
liberare |
to release, to clear |
limitare |
to bound, to limit, restrict |
mancare |
to be lacking, to fail, to die, to neglect |
mandare |
to send, send ahead, send out, provide for |
mangiare |
to eat, to take |
mantenere |
to keep, maintain, support |
meritare |
to deserve, require, to be worth |
mettere |
to put, put on, wear, to set |
morire |
to die, to fade |
mostrare |
to show |
muovere |
to move, to drive |
nascere |
to be born, to rise |
nascondere |
to hide, conceal |
notare |
to notice, mark, write down |
occorrere |
to be required, to be needed |
offendere |
to offend, insult, violate |
offrire |
to offer, bid, present, give to |
opporre |
to put forward, object |
ordinare |
to organize, order, ordain, prescribe |
organizzare |
to organize, arrange |
osservare |
to observe, to notice |
ottenere |
to obtain, reach, arrive at |
pagare |
to pay, pay for, pay back |
parere |
to seem, to appear |
parlare |
to talk, to mention |
partecipare |
to take part in |
partire |
to leave, go, start from, from |
passare |
to pass by, call in, to cross, pass, approve, to strain |
pensare |
to think, to realize, to think out |
perdere |
to lose, to waste, to miss |
permettere |
to allow, permit |
pesare |
to weigh, to carry weight, to count |
piacere |
to be liked by |
piangere |
to cry, weep, lament |
piantare |
to plant, put in |
portare |
to carry, to take, wear, to bear |
posare |
to put down, to pose, to rest on |
possedere |
to have, to hold |
potere |
can, to be able to |
preferire |
to prefer |
pregare |
to pray to, beg |
prendere |
to take, get, seize, to catch |
preoccupare |
to worry |
preparare |
to prepare, get ready, pack |
presentare |
to present, give |
prevedere |
to forecaste, to plan, provide for |
procedure |
to proceed, advance, start |
produrre |
to produce, generate, cause |
promettere |
to promise |
proporre |
to suggest, to offer |
provare |
to try, to prove |
provocare |
to cause, provoke, arouse |
provvedere |
to provide for, look after |
pubblicare |
to publish |
raccogliere |
to pick up, harvest, assemble |
raccontare |
to tell, to tell about |
raggiungere |
to catch up, to reach, achieve |
rappresentare |
to depict, perform, represent |
recare |
to bear, carry, bring |
rendere |
to give back, render, make, yield |
resistere |
to resist, stand up to, take |
restare |
to remain, stay |
ricevere |
to receive, get, welcome, pick up |
richiedere |
to ask again, ask for, require |
riconoscere |
to recognize, identify, acknowledge |
ricordare |
to remember, mention, commemorate |
ridere |
to laugh, make fun of |
ridurre |
to reduce, to adapt, arrange |
riempire |
to fill up, to stuff with |
rientrare |
to return, get back, curve inwards |
riferire |
to report, make a report, attribute to |
rifiutare |
to refuse, deny |
riguardare |
to regard, look after |
rimanere |
to remain, stay |
rimettere |
to put back, to refer to, to forgive, lose, bring up |
ringraziare |
to thank |
ripetere |
to repeat |
riportare |
to take back, receive, get, carry forward, report |
riprendere |
to recapture, get back, resume, to shoot (a film) |
risolvere |
to solve, decide, annul, cancel, break down |
rispondere |
to answer, answer, back, to correspond to, respond |
risultare |
to prove to be, to emerge, appear |
ritenere |
to think, believe, withhold, deduct, retain |
ritornare |
to return, give back |
ritrovare |
to find, to meet again |
riunire |
to gather together, reunite, assemble |
riuscire |
to succeed, to be able, manage, to go out again |
rivedere |
to see again, revise, check |
rivelare |
to reveal, display |
rivolgere |
to turn, direct, address |
rompere |
to break, split, break off |
salire |
to climb, go up, rise, get into the car |
saltare |
to jump, to explode, to be fired, to skip |
salutare |
to greet, salute, give one’s regards to |
salvare |
to save, rescue |
sapere |
to know, to know how to |
sbagliare |
to miss, to make a mistake |
scappare |
to escape, overlook, to let slip or escape |
scegliere |
to choose |
scendere |
to descend, go down, to fall, drop |
scherzare |
to joke |
scomparire |
to disappear, vanish |
scoppiare |
to explode, burst, break out |
scoprire |
to discover, to unveil |
scorrere |
to run, flow, pass by, slide easily |
scrivere |
to write |
scusare |
to excuse, forgive |
sedere |
to sit down |
segnare |
to mark, note, indicate, score |
seguire |
to follow |
sembrare |
to seem |
sentire |
to feel, to taste, to hear, to smell, to listen to |
servire |
to serve, to deal, pass the ball to |
significare |
to mean, to matter |
smettere |
to stop, to give up |
soffrire |
to suffer, be in pain, to suffer from |
sognare |
to dream of or about |
sorgere |
to rise, to arise |
sorprendere |
to catch, to surprise |
sorridere |
to smile |
sostenere |
to support, sustain, withstand, maintain, uphold |
spegnere |
to extinguish, stifle, swith off, put out |
sperare |
to hope for |
spiegare |
to explain, unfold, deploy |
spingere |
to push, to press |
sposare |
to marry |
stabilire |
to establish, fix, decide |
staccare |
to remove, to stand out |
stare |
to be, to stay, remain, to live |
stringere |
to grip, clench, tighten, take in |
studiare |
to study, to learn |
succedere |
to happen, to succeed, follow |
suonare |
to play, ring, sound |
superare |
to exceed, cross, overtake, overcome, surpass, get over |
svegliare |
to wake up |
svolgere |
to unroll, unwind |
tacere |
to be silent |
tagliare |
to cut, slice, curve, mow, trim |
temere |
to fear, to be afraid of |
tendere |
to tighten, stretch out, pull tight, hold out |
tenere |
to hold, to keep, to give |
tentare |
to attempt, to test, to tempt |
tirare |
to pull, tow, draw, close, to print, throw |
toccare |
to touch, fee, reach |
togliere |
to remove, subtract |
tornare |
to return, to be right, turn out, prove |
trarre |
to draw, pull, pull out, get |
trascinare |
to drag |
trasformare |
to change, alter, convert |
trattare |
to deal with, discuss, treat |
trovare |
to find, to catch |
uccidere |
to kill, to murder |
udire |
to hear |
unire |
to unite, join, link, combine |
usare |
to use |
uscire |
to leave, to come out |
valere |
to be worth, to be valid, to be of use |
vedere |
to see, look out, find out, to visit |
vendere |
to sell |
venire |
to come, arrive, cost |
vestire |
to dress, to clothe, to wear |
vincere |
to win, to defeat, to overcome |
vivere |
to live, to be alive, to live on |
volare |
to fly, to spread quickly |
volere |
to want |
volgere |
to turn, to turn to |
voltare |
to turn |