The conjugation of a verb is an ordered system that describes the verb according to moods, tenses, persons, numbers, and form.
In Italian verbs are divided, based on the infinitive, into three conjugations:
The first conjugation
Includes verbs that end in –are in the infinitive:
- Andare (to go).
- Parlare (to speak).
- Mangiare (to eat).
- Fare (to do).
- Dare (to give).
- Stare (to stay).
The first conjugation includes the largest number of verbs; not only that: when new verbs (neologisms) are coined, they automatically flow into it.
The second conjugation
Includes verbs that end in -ere in the infinitive:
- Essere (to be).
- Avere (to have).
- Scrivere (to write).
- Leggere (to read).
- Bere (to drink).
- Vivere (to live).
The third conjugation
Includes the verbs that end in -ire in the infinitive:
- Capire (to understand).
- Venire (to come).
- Finire (to finish).
- Partire (to leave).
- Dire (to say).
- Uscire (to go out).