Transitive and intransitive verbs in Italian
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In Italian it is important to distinguish between two categories of verbs based on their relationship with the subject and the other elements of the clause: transitive and intransitive verbs.
Lesson outline
Hide- 1.Transitive verbs in Italian
- 1.1.Usage and function of transitive verbs
- 1.2.List of the main transitive verbs in Italian
- 2.Intransitive verbs in Italian
- 2.1.Usage and function of intransitive verbs
- 2.2.List of the main intransitive verbs in Italian
- 3.Verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive
- 3.1.List of the main transitive and intransitive verbs
- 4.Exercises
- 4.1.Choose whether the verb in the sentence is transitive or intrasitive
- 4.2.Drag the sentences into the correct box
Transitive verbs in Italian
Transitive verbs (verbi transitivi in italiano) are used as follows:
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Usage and function of transitive verbs
Transitive verbs are those verbs that take a direct object (complemento oggetto).
Examples:
- Lucia canta una canzone (Lucia sings a song)
- Marco compra un libro (Marco buys a book)
Transitive verbs are not always followed by a direct object. Sometimes the direct object can be omitted because it is implicit
E.g. Laura legge (Laura reads)
Luca suona (Luca plays)
List of the main transitive verbs in Italian
Here you can find a list of the main transitive verbs in Italian:
| Transitive verb | Translation |
|---|---|
| Leggere | to read |
| Bere | to drink |
| Capire | to understand |
| Rompere | to break |
| Cercare | to search/look for |
| Chiamare | to call |
| Suonare | to play |
| Dire | to say |
| Fare | to do/make |
Intransitive verbs in Italian
Intransitive verbs (verbi intransitivi in italiano) are used as follows:
Usage and function of intransitive verbs
Intransitive verbs are those verbs that cannot take a direct object (complemento oggetto).
Examples:
- Alessia dorme sul divano (Alessia sleeps on the sofa)
- Giorgio cammina per strada (Giorgio walks down the street)
List of the main intransitive verbs in Italian
Here is a list of the main intransitive verbs in Italian:
| Intransitive verb | Translation |
|---|---|
| Cadere | to fall |
| Venire | to come |
| Durare | to last |
| Dormire | to sleep |
| Entrare | to enter |
| Nuotare | to swim |
| Stare | to stay |
| Uscire | to exit |
Verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive
There are some verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive based on the context in which they occur.
Example:
- Riccardo mangia una mela (Riccardo eats an apple)
- Quando mangiamo? (When are we going to eat?)
List of the main transitive and intransitive verbs
Here is a list of some verbs that can be both transitive and intransitive:
| Verb | Translation |
|---|---|
| Passare | to pass |
| Vivere | to live |
| Piangere | to cry |
| Saltare | to jump/skip |
Now don't forget to practise with our exercises!
Exercises
- Choose whether the verb in the sentence is transitive or intrasitive
- Drag the sentences into the correct box
Choose whether the verb in the sentence is transitive or intrasitive
Solution
1. Luisa ha scritto una lettera a Luca - Luisa wrote Luca a letter.
Transitive
2. Ho detto che non mi interessa - I said I'm not interested.
Transitive
3. Dopo pranzo andremo in spiaggia - After lunch we're going to the beach
Intransitive
4. Marco ha chiamato suo fratello, ma non ha risposto - Marco called his brother but he didn't answer
Transitive
5. Io nuoto tre volte la settimana - I swim three times a week
Intransitive
6. Verrò a casa tua verso le 21 - I'll come to your house around 9 pm
Intransitive
7. Ieri ho visto un cane al parco - Yesterday I saw a dog in the park
Transitive
8. Piove da tre giorni - It's been raining for three days
Intransitive
Giulia ha comprato il regalo di compleanno per sua mamma - Giulia bought a birthday present for her mum
Transitive
10. Ho lavato tutti i miei vestiti - I've washed all my clothes
Transitive
Drag the sentences into the correct box
Exercises
- Choose whether the verb in the sentence is transitive or intrasitive
- Drag the sentences into the correct box
Choose whether the verb in the sentence is transitive or intrasitive
Solution
1. Luisa ha scritto una lettera a Luca - Luisa wrote Luca a letter.
Transitive
2. Ho detto che non mi interessa - I said I'm not interested.
Transitive
3. Dopo pranzo andremo in spiaggia - After lunch we're going to the beach
Intransitive
4. Marco ha chiamato suo fratello, ma non ha risposto - Marco called his brother but he didn't answer
Transitive
5. Io nuoto tre volte la settimana - I swim three times a week
Intransitive
6. Verrò a casa tua verso le 21 - I'll come to your house around 9 pm
Intransitive
7. Ieri ho visto un cane al parco - Yesterday I saw a dog in the park
Transitive
8. Piove da tre giorni - It's been raining for three days
Intransitive
Giulia ha comprato il regalo di compleanno per sua mamma - Giulia bought a birthday present for her mum
Transitive
10. Ho lavato tutti i miei vestiti - I've washed all my clothes
Transitive
Drag the sentences into the correct box
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Since 1994, I have dedicated myself to translating and teaching thanks to my travels, abroad studies, foreign reading and writing. I provide fun and customized lessons based on the student's goals. I also triy to minimize English speaking during the lessons. I give homework exercises, and my lessons are intermixed with grammar, conversation, customs and traditions. My goal is to make certain that each student finds learning Italian exciting.
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Hello! My name is Federico Pasquale, I was born in La Plata, Argentina but now I live in Formia, Italy. I have an English-Spanish translation degree, a degree in teaching and a CELTA Certificate. I've been working as an English teacher for 14 years in different countries and I've recently started to teach Spanish, my native language. I offer classes in different levels and also conversation classes. If you want to improve your skills in one of these languages, get in touch with me. See you in the lesson!
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I am a qualified teacher with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and a TESOL certificate. I will make you fall in love with English or Afrikaans. My goal is to make learning as fun and exiting as possible by using these methods in class: singing, dancing, games, role play and using fun colorful resources. I can help you with anything from pronunciation, grammer, reading and writing, phonics and building your vocabulary.
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Magda T.
Would you like to learn a new language and need somebody to guide you? I am the right person for you
Learning a foreign language is always a good investment: it broadens your cultural horizons, it increases dramatically your employability and it helps your business penetrate foreign markets.
I have experience in teaching English, Spanish and Italian to non-Italian speakers of all ages, both individuals and groups, in your office or at home. I am available for grammar and conversation classes, classes in preparation for special exams, certificates and corporate events, both in person and on Skype.
I think that learning a language necessarily means involving students in real situations, with a cheerful approach. Therefore, I like developing creative, effective and bespoke programmes, based on my students’ needs, age, likes, and why not, character. I am a dynamic and joyful yet precise and demanding teacher, who is always ready to motivate, encourage and listen to her students.
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Ilaria G.
Hi, welcome to my profile!
My name is Alessia and I currently live in Italy. I spent a few years in the United States where I deepened my knowledge of English and American dialects. I am currently specializing in Spanish and German. Over the years, I have given private lessons in Italian, English, Spanish, and Japanese, with Japanese being the most requested at the moment. Regarding Japanese, I had the opportunity to teach the language at an American college with a native Japanese teacher, applying the method that they use to learn their own language. I will help you in a simple way; conversation is really important for learning a language, and a good method is even more fundamental. No days spent on textbooks are needed; consistency and fun during lessons are the most important parts of learning. You will see results right away! I am patient, flexible, and will adapt in every way to your personal needs. I look forward to seeing you on my profile for a trial lesson and discovering an easy and fun method to learn a language as soon as possible.
C. .
I Have had a few weeks of Italian lessons with Alessia and I have found them very useful. In our first lesson we spoke about what I wanted (hoped) to learn and she has prepared resources based on this conversation and my ability level for every lesson since then. Her lessons are a nice mix of conversation, reading, written and spoken exercises. We use a text book (supplied by Alessia) as well as additional material when suitable. I recommend Alessia as a tutor.
Alessia T.