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The present tense in Italian: Conjugation of 100 easy verbs in the present tense.

The present tense in Italian
The present tense in Italian

The present tense in Italian expresses facts and actions that occur or are in progress in the present.

Words that indicate the present tense in Italian:

  • Ora = Adesso (Now)
  • Spesso (Often)
  • Oggi (Today)
  • Ogni (Every)
  • Di Solito (Usually)
  • Stasera (Tonight)
  • Oggi pomeriggio (This Afternoon)
  • Stamattina (This Morning)
  • Questo Mese (This Month)
  • Questa Settimana (This Week)
  • Quest’anno (This Year)
  • Fine Settimana (This Weekend)
  • Prima….. Poi.... (First..Then…)
  • Prima faccio i compiti, Poi aiuto la mamma.
  • I do my homework first, then I help mom.

How to form the present tense in Italian

Italian verbs are divided into three groups: -are, -ere , -ire. To form the present indicative, the ending of the infinitive (-are, -ere, -ire) must be changed according to the different subject pronoun:

Conjugation of verbs in the present tense in Italian:

Subject pronoun-are-ere-ire
io-o-o(-isc) -o
tu-i-i(-isc) -i
lui / lei-a-e(-isc) -e
noi-iamo-iamo-iamo
voi-ate-ete-ite
loro-ano-ono(-isc) -ono
the present tense in Italian

1. (-are) verb conjugation in Italian

Subject pronoun-areParlareTo Speak
io-oParloI Speak
tu-iParliYou Speak
lui / lei-aParlaHe Speaks
She Speaks
noi-iamoParliamoWe Speak
voi-ateParlateYou Speak
loro-anoParlanoThey Speak
The present tense in Italian: conjugate (are) verbs in Italian

list of regular (-are) verbs in Italian

  • Guardare (to watch)
  • Giocare (to play)
  • Lavorare (to work)
  • Entrare (to enter)
  • Parlare (to talk)
  • Amare (to love)
  • Aspettare (to wait)
  • Cenare (to have dinner)
  • Camminare (to walk)
  • Ascoltare (to listen)

2. (-ere) verb conjugation in Italian

Subject pronoun-ereScrivereTo write
io-oScrivoI Write
tu-iScriviYou Write
lui
lei
-eScriveHe Writes
She Writes
noi-iamoScriviamoWe Write
voi-eteScriveteYou Write
loro-onoScrivonoThey Write
The present tense in Italian: conjugate (ere) verbs in Italian

List of (-ere) verbs in Italian

  • Credere (to believe)
  • Chiedere (to ask)
  • Chiudere (to close)
  • Conoscere (to know)
  • Correre (to run)
  • Vedere (to see)
  • Mettere (to put)
  • Ripetere (to repeat)
  • Leggere (to read)
  • Scrivere (to write)

3. (-ire) verb conjugation in Italian

Subject pronoun-ireDormireTo Sleep
io-oDormoI Sleep
tu-iDormiYou Sleep
lui
lei
-eDormeHe Sleeps
She Sleeps
noi-iamoDormiamoWe Sleep
voi-iteDormiteYou Sleep
loro-onoDormonoThey Sleep
The present tense in Italian: conjugate (ire) verbs in Italian

List of (-ire) verbs in Italian

  • Aprire (to open)
  • Dormire (to sleep)
  • Offrire ( to offer)
  • Soffrire (to suffer)
  • Partire (to leave)
  • Sentire (to hear / to feel)

Many verbs ending in -ire (third conjugation) follow a somewhat different model of conjugation and add (-isc) before the first, second and third person singular (io, tu, lui/lei) and the third person plural (loro):

-isc verb conjugation

Subject pronoun-ireFinireTo Finish
io-iscoFiniscoI Finish
tu-isciFinisciYou Finish
lui
lei
-isceFinisceHe Finishes
She Finishes
noi-iamoFiniamoWe Finish
voi-iteFiniteYou Finish
loro-isconoFinisconoThey Finish
The present tense in Italian: conjugate (ire/-isc) verbs in Italian

What verbs take -isc in Italian?

Here is a list of the most common (-isc) verbs in Italian:

  • Capire (to understand)
  • Colpire (to hit)
  • Costruire (to buid)
  • Custodire (to guard)
  • Finire (to finish)
  • Fornire (to supply)
  • Guarire (to heal)
  • Garantire (to guarantee)
  • Sostituire (to substitute)
  • Spedire (to send)
  • Unire (to unite)
  • Riunire (to gather)
  • Preferire (to prefer)
  • Pulire (to clean)
  • Scolpire (to sculpt)
  • Punire (to punish)
  • Riferire (to report)

For verbs ending in (-care) and in (-gare) (first conjugation) add (H) before the (i) in the second person singular (tu) and in the first person plural (noi), to keep the “hard” sound of C and G:

Subject pronounCercare / PagareTo Search For / To Pay
ioCerco / PagoI Search For / Pay
tuCerchi / PaghiYou Search For / Pay
lui
lei
Cerca / PagaHe Searches for / Pays
She Searches for / Pays
noiCerchiamo / PaghiamoWe Search For / Pay
voiCercate / PagateYou Search For / Pay
loroCercano / PaganoThey Search For / Pay
The present tense in Italian: Conjugation of (-care/-gare) verbs in the Present tense.

A list of the most common verbs that follow this model:

  1. Giocare (to play)
  2. Dimenticare (to forget)
  3. Spiegare (to explain)
  4. Pubblicare (to publish)
  5. Pregare (to pray)
  6. Indicare (to indicate)
  7. Litigare (to argue)
  8. Comunicare (to communicate)
  9. Sbrigare (to hurry up)
  10. Identificare (to Identify)
  11. Toccare (to touch)
  12. Attacare (to attack)
  13. Asciugare (to dry)
  14. Dedicare (to dedicate)

Verbs ending in -cere, -gere and – scere (second conjugation), on the contrary, change the sound of C and G, which becomes “hard” when followed by (o) in the first person singular (io) and in the third person plural (loro):

Subject pronounVincere
(to win)
Leggere
(to read)
Conoscere
(to know)
ioVincoLeggoConosco
tuVinciLeggiConosci
lui
lei
VinceLeggeConosce
noiVinciamoLeggiamoConosciamo
voiVinceteLeggeteConoscete
loroVinconoLeggonoConoscono
The present tense in Italian: Conjugation of (-cere/-gere) verbs in the Present tense.

Verbs ending in -iare (first conjugation) have only one (i) in the second person singular (tu) and in the first plural (noi):

Subject pronounCominciare
(To Begin/Start)
Mangiare
(To Eat)
Lasciare
(To leave)
Studiare
(To Study)
ioComincioMangioLascioStudio
tuCominciMangiLasciStudi
lui
lei
Comincia
Mangia
LasciaStudia
noiCominciamoMangiamoLasciamoStudiamo
voiCominciareMangiateLasciateStudiate
loroComincianoMangianoLascianoStudiano
The present tense in Italian: Conjugation of (-iare) verbs in the Present tense.

But: some verbs such as [avviare (to start), inviare (to send / to mail), rinviare (to postpone), sciare (to ski)] have two (i) in the second person singular (tu): (avvii, invii, rinvii, scii).

Subject pronounAvviare
(to start)
Inviare
(to send / to mail)
Rinviare
(to postpone)
Sciare
(to ski)
ioAvvioInvioRinvioScio
tuAvviiInviiRinviiScii
lui
lei
Avvia
Invia
RinviaScia
noiAvviamoInviamoRinviamoSciamo
voiAvviateInviateRinviateSciate
loroAvvianoInvianoRinvianoSciano
The present tense in Italian: Conjugation of (-iare) verbs in the Present tense.

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Grammatica della lingua italiana per stranieri1 tuttoinitaliano
Italian Grammar for Foreigners
beginners level (A1-A2)
Grammatica della lingua italiana per stranieri2 tuttoinitaliano
Italian Grammar for Foreigners
intermediate and advanced level (B1- B2)

Irregular verbs in the present tense in Italian

In Italian, as in all languages, many irregular verbs are learned over time and with use.

Italian irregular verbs conjugation

Dare
(To Give)
Fare
(To Do)
Stare
(To Stay)
Do
Dai
Da
Diamo
Date
Danno
faccio
Fai
Fa
Facciamo
Fate
Fanno
Sto
Stai
Sta
Stiamo
State
Stanno
Sapere
(To Know)
Dire
(to Say)
Bere
(to Drink)
So
Sai
Sa
Sappiamo
Sapete
Sanno
Dico
Dici
Dice
Diciamo
Dite
Dicono
Bevo
Bevi
Beve
Beviamo
Bevete
Bevono
Andare
(to Go)
Venire
(to come)
Tenere
(to hold)
Vado
Vai
Va
Andiamo
Andate
Vanno
Vengo
Vieni
Viene
Veniamo
Venite
Vengono
Tengo
Tieni
Tiene
Teniamo
Tenete
Tengono
Rimanere
(to remain)
Spegnere
(To switch off)
Salire
(To Go Up)
Rimango
Rimani
Rimane
Rimaniamo
Rimanete
Rimangono
Spengo
Spegni
Spegne
Speniamo
Spengnete
Spengono
Salgo
Sali
Sale
Saliamo
Salite
Salgono
Scegliere
(To Choose)
Uscire
(to Go Out)
Riuscire
(to succeed)
(To Be Able To)
scelgo
scegli
sceglie
scegliamo
scegliete
scelgono
esco
Esci
Esce
Usciamo
Uscite
Escono
Riesco
Riesci
Riesce
Riusciamo
Riuscite
Riescono
Potere
(To be able to)
(can)
Volere
(to Want to)
(Want)
Dovere
(To Have To)
(Must)
Posso
Puoi
Può
Possiamo
Potete
Possono
Voglio
Vuoi
Vuole
Vogliamo
Volete
Vogliono
Devo
Devi
Deve
Dobbiamo
Dovete
Devono
Morire
(to Die)
Piacere
(to Like)
Sedere
(to sit down)
Muoio
Muori
Muore
Moriamo
Morite
Muoiono
Piaccio
Piaci
Piace
Piacciamo
Piacete
Piacciono
Siedo
siedi
siede
sediamo
sedete
siedono
compiere
(to accomplish)
(to complete)
Porre
(to put)
trarre
(To Draw)
compio
compi
compie
compiamo
compite
compiono
pongo
poni
pone
poniamo
ponete
pongono
traggo
trai
trae
traiamo
traete
traggono
The present tense in Italian: irregular verbs conjugation

Main verbs that are conjugated as (Porre / Trarre):

PorreTrarre
Comporre ( to compose)
Disporre (to arrange)
Esporre (to expose)
Imporre (to impose)
Opporre (to oppose)
Proporre (to propose)
Riporre (to put away)
Supporre (to suppose)
Attrarre (to attract)
Contrarre (to contract)
Detrarre (to deduct)
Distrarre (to distract)
Estrarre (to extract)
Ritrarre (to retract)
Sottrarre (to subtract)
The present tense in Italian: irregular verbs

Some verbs end in -urre (Tradurre, Condurre, Produrre, etc.) follow this model (as if the infinitive ended in -ucere)

tradurre
(to translate)
condurre
(to drive/lead)
produrre
(to produce)
traduco
traduci
traduce
traduciamo
traducete
traducono
conduco
conduci
conduce
conduciamo
conducete
conducono
Produco
produci
produce
produciamo
producete
producono
The present tense in Italian: irregular verbs

Main verbs that are conjugated as (Produrre):

  • Dedurre (to deduce)
  • Indurre (to induce)
  • Introdurre (to introduce)
  • Ridurre (to reduce)
  • Riprodurre (to reproduce)
  • Sedurre (to seduce)

Italian irregular verbs: Modal verbs in Italian

The verbs (Dovere, Potere, Volere) are modal verbs and they are almost always followed by another verb in the infinitive:

  • Devo uscire tra poco.
  • I have to leave soon.
  • Puoi partecipare alla riunione?
  • Can you join the meeting?
  • Zoe non vuole venire alla festa.
  • Zoe Doesn’t want to come to the party.
  • Vogliamo dormire.
  • We want to sleep.

Verb Sapere (to know) in Italian

When the verb [Sapere (to know)] is followed by another verb in the infinitive, it expresses the ability to do something.

  • So giocare a tennis.
  • I know how to play tennis.
  • Patsy non sa ballare.
  • Pasty Doesn’t know to dance.
  • Sanno risolvere questo problema.
  • They know how to solve this problem.
  • Non sappiamo cantare.
  • We don’t know how to sing.

Other verbs, such as (cominciare, continuare e finire) can be followed by a preposition + a verb in the infinitive:

Verb + a + infinitive

  • Cominciare >> (to begin) / (to start)
  • Andare >> (to go)
  • Aiutare >> (to help)
  • Iniziare >> (to begin) / (to start)
  • Continuare >> (to continue)

Verb + di + infinitive

  • Finire >> (to finish)
  • Chiedere >> (to ask)
  • Cercare >> (to search)
  • Credere >> (to believe)
  • Dimenticare >> (to forget)

Grammatica della lingua italiana per stranieri1 tuttoinitaliano
Italian Grammar for Foreigners
beginners level (A1-A2)
Grammatica della lingua italiana per stranieri2 tuttoinitaliano
Italian Grammar for Foreigners
intermediate and advanced level (B1- B2)

Uses of the present tense In Italian

1. The present tense in Italian is used to express facts and actions that take place or are in progress in the present:

  • Anna lavora in un ufficio.
  • Anna works in an office.
  • Abitiamo a Napoli.
  • We live in Naples.
  • Non mangio il pesce.
  • I don’t Eat fish.
  • Cosa leggi?
  • What are you reading?
  • Silvia studia e Livia ascolta la radio.
  • Silvia studies and Livia listens to the radio.

2. The present tense in Italian is also used to indicate an action that began in the past but is still in progress:

  • Vivo in italia da tre mesi.
  • I have been living in Italy for three months.
  • Guilia studia l’arabo da due anni.
  • Guilia has been studying Arabic for two years.

3. The present tense in Italian can be used instead of the future, to indicate a near future or an event that is considered certain:

  • Domani sera Mangiamo in Pizzeria.
  • Tomorrow evening we will eat in the Pizzeria.
  • La Settimana prossima non lavoro.
  • I’m not working next week.

Verb conjugation in Italian: Conjugation of verbs in the Present tense.

Exercises on the present tense in Italian:

Write the third person singular and plural of the following verbs:

Amare – Aspettare – Avviare – Aprire – Camminare – Conoscere – Chiudere – Dormire – Entrare – Finire – Giocare – Lavorare – Leggere – Offrire – Preferire – Ripetere – Sentire – Sbrigare – Sciare – Scrivere – Unire – Vincere.

The answer
Verblui/leiloro
Amareamaamano
Aspettareaspettaaspettano
Avviareavviaavviano
Aprireapreaprono
Camminarecamminacamminano
Conoscereconosceconoscono
Chiuderechiudechiudono
Dormiredormedormono
Entrareentraentrano
Finirefiniscefiniscono
Giocare giocagiocano
Lavorarelavoralavorano
Leggereleggeleggono
Offrireoffreoffrono
Preferirepreferiscepreferiscono
Ripetereripeteripetono
Sentiresentesentono
Sbrigaresbrigasbrigano
Sciaresciasciano
Scriverescrivescrivono
Unireunisceuniscono
Vincerevincevincono


Related lessons:

Verb essere and avere in the present