Verbs & Actions
What is happening in the story?
The heart of every sentence
Verbs bring stories to life. They tell you what people do, want, can and must do. Luckily, most Italian verbs follow three predictable patterns.
The irregular verbs we cover are so common that you will see them in almost every paragraph. With this knowledge you can follow the main storyline of any simple text.
Chapter
7
The three regular patterns
Recognise the pattern and understand hundreds of verbs
About 90% of all Italian verbs follow one of these three patterns. If you know them, you can often guess the meaning of new verbs. Important: in Italian the subject (io, tu, lui, etc.) is often left out because the verb already shows who does the action. We show them here for clarity, but in normal sentences you can simply say “parlo” instead of “io parlo”.
-ARE verbs (the largest group)
This is the most common pattern. Notice the endings: with regular verbs these endings are always the same for every verb stem.
💡 Tips
- All regular -ARE verbs follow the pattern: stem + o, i, a, iamo, ate, ano.
- The stress is usually on the second-to-last syllable: par-LA-re, par-LI-a-mo.
- After -care and -gare (like *cercare*, *pagare*) you add an extra “h” in tu/noi forms: *cerchi*, *cerchiamo*.
parlare = to speak
io
parlo
(I speak)
tu
parli
(you speak)
lui/lei
parla
(he / she speaks)
noi
parliamo
(we speak)
voi
parlate
(you (pl) speak)
loro
parlano
(they speak)
Common -ARE verbs
💡 Tips
- Most -ARE verbs are more regular than in English – learn the pattern, not each verb separately.
- “Mangiare” and “cercare” sometimes add an extra “i” or “h” to keep the pronunciation: *mangi, cerchi*.
- Use them a lot in short sentences: *Parlo italiano*, *Lavori molto*, *Aspetti?*
amare
→
to love
Amo la pizza
- I love pizza
arrivare
→
to arrive
Il treno arriva
- The train arrives
ascoltare
→
to listen
Ascolti la musica
- You listen to music
aspettare
→
to wait
Aspettiamo il bus
- We wait for the bus
camminare
→
to walk
Cammina veloce
- He/She walks fast
cantare
→
to sing
Maria canta bene
- Maria sings well
cercare
→
to look for
Cerco le chiavi
- I am looking for the keys
chiamare
→
to call
Ti chiamo domani
- I’ll call you tomorrow
comprare
→
to buy
Comprano il pane
- They buy bread
cucinare
→
to cook
Cucina molto bene
- She cooks very well
entrare
→
to enter
Entrano in casa
- They go into the house
guardare
→
to watch / look at
Guardo la TV
- I watch TV
lavorare
→
to work
Lavora in banca
- He/She works at a bank
mangiare
→
to eat
Mangiamo insieme
- We eat together
pensare
→
to think
Penso di sì
- I think so
portare
→
to bring / carry
Porto una borsa
- I carry a bag
tornare
→
to return
Torna a casa
- He/She goes back home
trovare
→
to find
Trovi tutto?
- Do you find everything? / Can you find everything?
-ERE verbs
The second group: fewer verbs but very frequent. With regular verbs the endings are always the same.
💡 Tips
- -ERE verbs often have a double G or D in some forms: *leggere → leggi / legge*.
- The stress is usually on the second-to-last syllable: *LÈG-ge-re, LÈG-go, leg-GIÀ-mo*.
- Common -ERE verbs are short and powerful: *vedere, prendere, credere, scrivere*.
leggere = to read
io
leggo
(I read)
tu
leggi
(you read)
lui/lei
legge
(he / she reads)
noi
leggiamo
(we read)
voi
leggete
(you (pl) read)
loro
leggono
(they read)
Common -ERE verbs
💡 Tips
- Some -ERE verbs are irregular, but the stem often stays recognisable: *prendere → ho preso* (I have taken).
- “Conoscere” means “to know (be familiar with)”, while “sapere” means “to know (a fact)” – a common mistake.
- Use *credere a / in* to say “to believe in”: *Credo in te* = I believe in you.
chiedere
→
to ask
Chiede aiuto
- He/She asks for help
chiudere
→
to close
Chiudo la porta
- I close the door
conoscere
→
to know (be familiar with)
Conosci Marco?
- Do you know Marco?
correre
→
to run
I bambini corrono
- The children run
credere
→
to believe
Non ci credo
- I don’t believe it
mettere
→
to put
Metto il libro qui
- I put the book here
perdere
→
to lose
Perdiamo tempo
- We are losing time
prendere
→
to take
Prendo un caffè
- I’ll have a coffee
ricevere
→
to receive
Riceve una lettera
- She receives a letter
rispondere
→
to answer
Rispondi subito
- Answer immediately
scrivere
→
to write
Scrivo un'e-mail
- I write an email
vedere
→
to see
Vedo un amico
- I see a friend
vendere
→
to sell
Vendono la casa
- They sell the house
vivere
→
to live
Vive a Roma
- He/She lives in Rome
-IRE verbs (two subgroups)
The third group. Note: some -IRE verbs add -isc- in some forms (especially singular). Regular -IRE verbs all share the same endings.
💡 Tips
- Regular -IRE verbs follow the pattern: stem + o, i, e, iamo, ite, ono.
- Some verbs add -isc- in the singular and in “loro”: *finisco, pulisci, preferisce, finiscono*.
- The stress sometimes moves: *dor-MI-re*, *FI-ni-re* – listen carefully to native speakers.
dormire = to sleep (regular)
io
dormo
(I sleep)
tu
dormi
(you sleep)
lui/lei
dorme
(he / she sleeps)
noi
dormiamo
(we sleep)
voi
dormite
(you (pl) sleep)
loro
dormono
(they sleep)
Common -IRE verbs
💡 Tips
- Verbs with -isc- add it only in io, tu, lui/lei and loro.
- Many -isc- verbs describe a change: *finire, pulire, costruire, capire*.
- Pay attention to pronunciation: the -isc- sounds a bit like “eesh” depending on the context.
aprire
→
to open
[regular]
Apro la finestra
- I open the window
coprire
→
to cover
[regular]
Copre il tavolo
- He/She covers the table
offrire
→
to offer
[regular]
Ti offro un caffè
- I’ll buy you a coffee
partire
→
to leave / depart
[regular]
Partono domani
- They leave tomorrow
sentire
→
to hear / feel
[regular]
Senti la musica?
- Do you hear the music?
servire
→
to be needed / to serve
[regular]
Mi serve aiuto
- I need help / Help is necessary
finire
→
to finish
[-isc-]
Finisco presto
- I finish early
preferire
→
to prefer
[-isc-]
Preferisce il tè
- He/She prefers tea
pulire
→
to clean
[-isc-]
Puliscono la casa
- They clean the house
spedire
→
to send
[-isc-]
Spedisco una lettera
- I send a letter
costruire
→
to build
[-isc-]
Costruiscono case
- They build houses
Chapter
8
The essential irregulars
Verbs you meet everywhere
These six verbs are irregular but so frequent that you must know them by heart. They appear in almost every conversation and story and each follows its own pattern.
FARE (to do / to make)
💡 Tips
- “FARE” is extremely versatile: it means both “to do” and “to make”.
- It is often used in fixed combinations: *fare colazione*, *fare la spesa*, *fare una passeggiata*.
- Notice the pronunciation: *faccio* (FAT-cho), *fanno* with a long double N.
io
faccio
(I do / make)
Faccio colazione
I have breakfast
tu
fai
(you do / make)
Che cosa fai?
What are you doing?
lui/lei
fa
(he / she does)
Fa freddo
It is cold
noi
facciamo
(we do)
Facciamo una pausa
Let’s take a break
voi
fate
(you (pl) do)
Fate sport?
Do you do sports?
loro
fanno
(they do)
Fanno rumore
They make noise
Important expressions with FARE
💡 Tips
- “Fare” + noun creates many fixed combinations.
- With weather you use “fa”: *fa caldo, fa freddo*.
- Important: *fare una foto* = to take a photo, not *prendere una foto*!
fare colazione
→
to have breakfast
(literally: to make breakfast)
fare la spesa
→
to go grocery shopping
fare una domanda
→
to ask a question
fare una passeggiata
→
to go for a walk
fare un viaggio
→
to take a trip
fare attenzione
→
to pay attention
fare tardi
→
to be late / to stay up late
fare presto
→
to hurry
fa caldo / freddo
→
it is hot / cold
(weather expressions)
ANDARE (to go)
💡 Tips
- Use “andare” with *a* or *in*: *vado a Roma*, *vado in Italia*.
- “Andare” + infinitive expresses intention: *vado a studiare* = I’m going to study.
- Fixed phrase: *va bene!* = okay, fine, all right.
io
vado
(I go)
Vado a casa
I’m going home
tu
vai
(you go)
Dove vai?
Where are you going?
lui/lei
va
(he / she goes)
Va bene
It’s okay / fine
noi
andiamo
(we go)
Andiamo!
Let’s go!
voi
andate
(you (pl) go)
Andate via?
Are you leaving?
loro
vanno
(they go)
Vanno al mare
They go to the seaside
VENIRE (to come)
💡 Tips
- “Venire da” = to come from: *vengo da Milano*.
- “Venire a” = to come to do something: *vieni a vedere?* = will you come and see?
- Fixed phrase: *vieni con me?* = will you come with me?
io
vengo
(I come)
Vengo subito
I’m coming right away
tu
vieni
(you come)
Vieni con noi?
Are you coming with us?
lui/lei
viene
(he / she comes)
Viene da Roma
He/She comes from Rome
noi
veniamo
(we come)
Veniamo domani
We are coming tomorrow
voi
venite
(you (pl) come)
Venite anche voi?
Are you coming too?
loro
vengono
(they come)
Vengono sempre
They always come
Modal verbs – want, can, must
These verbs are used with an infinitive, for example: *posso mangiare* (I can eat).
💡 Tips
- Modal verbs are always followed by an infinitive: *voglio dormire, possiamo uscire*.
- The negative “non” comes before the modal verb: *non posso venire* = I cannot come.
- “Sapere” can also mean “to be able to (know how)”, while “potere” means “to be able/allowed”.
VOLERE (to want)
voglio
→
I want
Voglio un gelato
- I want an ice cream
vuoi
→
you want
Vuoi venire?
- Do you want to come?
vuole
→
he / she wants
Vuole dormire
- He/She wants to sleep
vogliamo
→
we want
Vogliamo partire
- We want to leave
volete
→
you (pl) want
Volete mangiare?
- Do you want to eat?
vogliono
→
they want
Vogliono sapere
- They want to know
POTERE (can / may / to be able to)
posso
→
I can
Posso aiutarti
- I can help you
puoi
→
you can
Puoi ripetere?
- Can you repeat?
può
→
he / she can
Non può venire
- He/She cannot come
possiamo
→
we can
Possiamo andare
- We can go
potete
→
you (pl) can
Potete aspettare?
- Can you wait?
possono
→
they can
Possono entrare
- They can come in
DOVERE (must / to have to)
devo
→
I must
Devo studiare
- I must study / I have to study
devi
→
you must
Devi ascoltare
- You must listen
deve
→
he / she must
Deve partire
- He/She has to leave
dobbiamo
→
we must
Dobbiamo pagare
- We must pay
dovete
→
you (pl) must
Dovete decidere
- You must decide
devono
→
they must
Devono lavorare
- They have to work
Chapter
9
Questions and Negation
Essential for dialogue
In stories, characters ask questions and deny things. These words help you understand dialogues.
Question words
💡 Tips
- Question words usually stand at the beginning: *Dove abiti?*, *Perché ridi?*
- “Perché” means both “why” and “because”: *Perché piangi? – Perché sono triste.*
- “Quale” changes to plural: *quale libro?* → *quali libri?*
Chi?
→
Who?
(For people)
Chi è?
- Who is it?
Che? / Che cosa? / Cosa?
→
What?
(All three are possible)
Che cosa fai?
- What are you doing?
Dove?
→
Where?
(Place)
Dove abiti?
- Where do you live?
Quando?
→
When?
(Time)
Quando parti?
- When do you leave?
Come?
→
How?
(Manner)
Come stai?
- How are you?
Perché?
→
Why?
(Also: because)
Perché ridi?
- Why are you laughing?
Quanto?
→
How much? / How many?
(Quantity)
Quanto costa?
- How much does it cost?
Quale? / Quali?
→
Which?
(Choice)
Quale preferisci?
- Which one do you prefer?
Di chi?
→
Whose? / Of whom?
(Possession)
Di chi è questo?
- Whose is this?
Con chi?
→
With whom?
(Company)
Con chi vai?
- Who are you going with?
A che ora?
→
At what time?
(Time)
A che ora arrivi?
- What time do you arrive?
Making questions – three ways
💡 Tips
- Italian does not change word order like English does: *Parli italiano?* already means “Do you speak Italian?”.
- Intonation alone is often enough to make a question: *Vieni?* = “Are you coming?”.
- For formal or checking questions you can use *È vero che...* or *Non è vero che...*.
Intonation
Voorbeeld
Parli italiano?
Vertaling
You speak Italian?
Uitleg
Just raise your voice
Question word at the start
Voorbeeld
Dove vai?
Vertaling
Where are you going?
Uitleg
Question word + verb
È vero che...?
Voorbeeld
È vero che parti?
Vertaling
Is it true that you are leaving?
Uitleg
More formal structure
Negation with NON
Place NON in front of the verb:
💡 Tips
- “Non” always comes directly before the verb: *non capisco, non è vero*.
- With *mi piace* the order stays the same: *non mi piace* = I don’t like it.
- In fast speech “non” may sound very short: *’n capisco* instead of *non capisco*.
Positief
Parlo italiano
Negatief
Non parlo italiano
Positief
È facile
Negatief
Non è facile
Positief
Mi piace
Negatief
Non mi piace
Positief
Capisco
Negatief
Non capisco
Positief
Ho fame
Negatief
Non ho fame
Positief
Voglio andare
Negatief
Non voglio andare
Other negative words
These are often used together with *non*:
💡 Tips
- Double negatives are normal in Italian: *non vedo niente* = I see nothing.
- “Niente” and “nulla” are synonyms; “nulla” sounds a bit more formal.
- “Più” means “more”: *non...più* = not anymore, *non...ancora* = not yet.
niente / nulla
→
nothing
Non vedo niente
- I see nothing / I don’t see anything
nessuno
→
nobody
Non c'è nessuno
- There is nobody
mai
→
never
Non mangio mai carne
- I never eat meat
neanche / nemmeno
→
not even / also not
Non viene neanche lui
- He is not coming either
né...né
→
neither...nor
Non ho né tempo né soldi
- I have neither time nor money
non...più
→
no longer
Non lavora più
- He no longer works / He doesn’t work anymore
non...ancora
→
not yet
Non è ancora pronto
- It is not ready yet
Common answers to questions
💡 Tips
- Short answers are typical in Italian: *Certo!*, *Va bene!*, *Forse!*
- Use *Non lo so* or *Dipende* for natural, polite reactions.
- *Purtroppo* and *Per fortuna* add emotion to stories and conversations.
Certo!
→
Of course!
(Positive)
Certamente
→
Certainly
(Formal positive)
Naturalmente
→
Naturally / of course
(Obvious)
Va bene
→
Okay / fine
(Agreement)
D'accordo
→
Agreed / all right
(Agreement)
Non importa
→
It doesn’t matter
(Not important)
Non lo so
→
I don’t know
(Not knowing)
Dipende
→
It depends
(Uncertain)
Forse
→
Maybe
(Possibility)
Probabilmente
→
Probably
(Probability)
Purtroppo
→
Unfortunately
(Regret)
Per fortuna
→
Luckily
(Relief)
Words that structure dialogues
💡 Tips
- Use these words to make dialogues sound natural, like real conversations.
- *Allora* and *quindi* both mean “so”, but *allora* is often used as a conversational bridge: *Allora, che facciamo?*
- *Boh* is a very Italian sound for “no idea” – it expresses doubt or uncertainty.
Allora
→
So / well then
(Start of a reaction)
Dunque
→
So / therefore
(Conclusion or summary)
Quindi
→
So / therefore
(Result)
Però
→
But / however
(Contrast)
Comunque
→
Anyway / however
(In spite of that)
Infatti
→
Indeed / in fact
(Confirmation)
Invece
→
On the other hand / instead
(Contrast)
Beh / Boh
→
Well / hmm
(Doubt / hesitation)
Ecco
→
Here / look
(Pointing something out)
Guarda
→
Look
(Getting attention)
Senti
→
Listen
(Getting attention)