Verbs have been likened to the muscles of a language. They are words indicating an action or state of being, and are elements of Italian grammar a language learner has to get to grips with. This can be a daunting prospect as there are a lot of verbs to learn, but the learner of Italian can take heart in the fact that a substantial number of verbs follow regular patterns. Learn the patterns, and the verbs will follow.
Italian Regular Verb Patterns
In Italian there are three main sets, or conjugations, of verbs that follow regular patterns. These can be distinguished by their endings in the infinitive: -are, -ere and –ire. Take these endings off, and add the appropriate subject endings, and the pattern becomes clear.
As is evident from the examples below, the different endings of the verb indicate the subject, so it is unnecessary to use the subject pronouns (I, you , he, she, we, they). In Italian, subject pronouns are used primarily for emphasis and contrast.
Verbs Ending in –are in the Present Tense
Parlare – to speak
- (io) parlo – I speak
- (tu) parli – you (singular, informal) speak
- (lui/lei/Lei) parla – he/she/you (formal) speak
- (noi) parliamo – we speak
- (voi) parlate – you (plural) speak
- (loro/Loro) parlano – they/you (formal plural) speak
Other common verbs which follow this pattern include:
- Amare – to love
- Chiamare – to call
- Firmare – to sign
- Studiare – to study
- Imparare – to learn
- Pensare – to think
Verbs Ending in –ere in the Present Tense
Leggere – to read
- (io) leggo – I read
- (tu) leggi – you (singular, informal) read
- (lui/lei/Lei) legge – he/she/you (formal) read
- (noi) leggiamo – we read
- (voi) leggete – you (plural) read
- (loro/Loro) leggono – they/you (formal plural) read
Other common verbs that follow this pattern include:
- Apprendere – to learn
- Chiedere – to ask
- Eleggere – to elect
- Mettere – to put, place
- Perdere – to lose
- Vendere – to sell
Verbs Ending in –ire in the Present Tense
Dormire – to sleep
- (io) dormo – I sleep
- (tu) dormi – you (singular, informal)
- (lui/lei/Lei) dorme – he/she/you (formal) sleeps
- (noi) dormiamo – we sleep
- (voi) dormite – you (plural) sleep
- (loro/Loro) dormono – they/you (formal plural) sleep
Other common verbs that follow this pattern include:
- Aprire – to open
- Bollire – to boil
- Partire – to leave
- Seguire – to follow
- Vestire – to dress, wear
Learners should be aware that there is a sub-group of verbs ending in -ire with a modified pattern. These verbs insert -sc- before the endings in the singular and the third person plural as in the verb capire (to understand):
- (io) capisco - I understand
- (tu) capisci - you (singular, informal) understand
- (lui/lei/Lei) capisce - he/she/you (singular, formal) understands
- (noi) capiamo - we understand
- (voi) capite - you (plural, informal) understand
- (loro/Loro) capiscono - they/you (formal, plural) understand
Other verbs which follow this pattern include:
- preferire - to prefer
- finire - to finish
- pulire - to clean
A Consoling Note on Irregular Verbs
When it comes to irregular verbs, the learner of Italian has little option but to memorize the form of each verb. The endings, however, stay the same as it is usually the stem which changes.
Readers needing clarification on Italian nouns and verbs may also wish to read Beginner's Guide to Italian Nouns, Beginner's Guide to the Italian Pluperfect Tense, and Beginner's Guide to the Italian Past Definite Tense.
Paris Franz - Paris Franz is a London-based freelance journalist, specialising in the arts, history and travel.
