Mastering the Most Common Irregular Italian Verbs
In this post we’ll look at twenty-five of the most common irregular Italian verbs. We’ll cover each verb separately. First, we’ll start with a few important notes on Italian subject pronouns. Next, you’ll see the full conjugation of each verb in the present tense. Then you’ll see several example sentences to help you see how each verb is used. We’ll group the verbs into categories that will make it easier for you to memorize them.
A Note on Italian Subject Pronouns
Before we look at irregular verbs, let’s cover some basics of Italian subject pronouns. First, don’t forget that Italian pronouns are typically dropped. That is, you normally just say sono instead of io sono to say I am.
Second, Italian has a few ways of saying you. Tu is the familiar form, usually reserved for friends, family, people your age or younger, or children. It’s a singular form, so you only use it to speak to one person. Lei is the more polite equivalent, for example when you’re speaking to an older stranger or someone in a more formal setting. The formal Lei is expected in many situations, especially in business, education, and formal or bureaucratic settings, so be sure to address strangers in these settings as Lei. Lei verbs take the same endings as lui/lei forms.
Finally, voi is the familiar plural, equivalent to all of you, y’all, or you guys. Capitalized Loro is the formal plural. But note that Loro is becoming quite rare in modern Italian, and voi is used instead in both informal and formal settings.
Italian Irregular Verbs That Don’t Fit into a Category
First, we’ll cover fifteen irregular verbs that don’t really fit into any patterns that make them easy to group together.
1. essere (to be)
| io sono | noi siamo |
| tu sei | voi siete |
| lui/lei/Lei è | loro/Loro sono |
Essere has common uses very similar to English be. For example, it’s used to link the subject to descriptive adjectives. It’s also used to link the subject to nouns that identify it.
- Sono felice oggi.
I am happy today. - Tu sei molto gentile.
You are very kind. - Franco è mio fratello.
Franco is my brother. - Siamo stanchi.
We are tired. - Paolo e Giovanni sono studenti.
Paolo and Giovanni are students.
Essere is also used as the auxiliary in the past tense of intransitive verbs that show a change of state or motion, as well as with all reflexive verbs. Don’t forget that the past participle agrees with the subject when essere is the auxiliary.
- Sono andato a casa.
I went home. - Maria è nata nel 1990.
Maria was born in 1990. - Lui è diventato famoso.
He became famous. - Mi sono alzato presto.
I (m.) got up early. - Si sono svegliate tardi.
They (f.) woke up late.
2. avere (to have)
| io ho | noi abbiamo |
| tu hai | voi avete |
| lui/lei/Lei ha | loro/Loro hanno |
One of the main uses of avere is to show possession, just like English.
- Ho due gatti.
I have two cats. - Hai un libro interessante.
You have an interesting book. - Maria ha una macchina nuova.
Maria has a new car. - Abbiamo una casa in campagna.
We have a house in the countryside. - Hanno molti amici.
They have many friends.
But avere is used to show age, in several common expressions that use be in English, and in the past tense of most verbs.
- Abbiamo comprato una casa in campagna.
We bought a house in the countryside. - Ha venticinque anni.
She’s twenty-five years old. - Non ho fame, ma ho sete.
I’m not hungry, but I’m thirsty. - Non hai ragione, hai torto!
You’re not right, you’re wrong! - Hai caldo? Io ho freddo.
You’re hot? I’m cold.
3. andare (to go)
| io vado | noi andiamo |
| tu vai | voi andate |
| lui/lei/Lei va | loro/Loro vanno |
- Vado al lavoro ogni mattina.
I go to work every morning. - Vai spesso al cinema?
Do you go to the movies often? - Lei va a scuola con il treno.
She goes to school by train. - Andiamo al mare questo weekend.
We’re going to the beach this weekend. - I bambini vanno a dormire presto.
The children go to bed early.
Andare is also used in the futuro immediato, the near future, just like going to in English.
- Vado a studiare.
I’m going to study. - Andiamo a vedere un film.
We’re going to see a movie. - Luca va a parlare con il professore.
Luca is going to talk to the professor. - Cosa vai a fare domani?
What are you going to do tomorrow?
4. fare (to do / to make)
| io faccio | noi facciamo |
| tu fai | voi fate |
| lui/lei/Lei fa | loro/Loro fanno |
- Faccio una torta per la festa.
I’m making a cake for the party. - Cosa fai nel tempo libero?
What do you do in your free time? - Lui fa molto sport.
He does a lot of sports. - Facciamo i compiti insieme.
We’re doing homework together. - Fanno sempre colazione tardi.
They always eat breakfast late.
Fare is used in several weather expressions, and to mean ago in time expressions.
- Che tempo fa oggi/questo fine settimana?
What’s the weather like today/this weekend? - Fa bello oggi.
It’s nice out today. - Fa caldo.
It’s hot. - Fa freddo.
It’s cold. - Sono arrivata qui dieci minuti fa.
I (f) got here ten minutes ago. - Cinque anni fa vivevo a Roma.
Five years ago I was living in Rome.
5. dire (to say / to tell)
| io dico | noi diciamo |
| tu dici | voi dite |
| lui/lei/Lei dice | loro/Loro dicono |
- Dico sempre la verità.
I always tell the truth. - Cosa dici? Non capisco.
What are you saying? I don’t understand. - Lei dice che arriverà tardi.
She says she’ll arrive late. - Diciamo quello che pensiamo.
We say what we think. - I genitori dicono ai figli di studiare.
The parents tell the children to study.
6. dare (to give)
| io do | noi diamo |
| tu dai | voi date |
| lui/lei/Lei dà | loro/Loro danno |
- Do un regalo a mia sorella.
I give a gift to my sister. - Mi dai una mano?
Can you give me a hand? - Lui dà sempre buoni consigli.
He always gives good advice. - Diamo l’esame domani.
We’re taking the exam tomorrow. - I professori danno troppi compiti.
The teachers give too much homework.
7. stare (to stay / to be)
| io sto | noi stiamo |
| tu stai | voi state |
| lui/lei/Lei sta | loro/Loro stanno |
Stare is used to mean to be with states, position, temporary conditions. These include for example staying in a certain location or physical position, health and well-being, and temporary or changing states.
- Sto bene, grazie.
I’m fine, thank you. - Come stai oggi?
How are you today? - Marco sta a casa stasera.
Marco is staying home tonight. - Le bambine stanno zitte.
The girls are staying quiet.
Stare is used with the present participle (-ando or –endo) to form the continuous tenses.
- Sto mangiando una pizza.
I’m eating a pizza. - Stiamo aspettando l’autobus.
We’re waiting for the bus. - Stanno leggendo un libro.
They are reading a book.
8. uscire (to go out)
| io esco | noi usciamo |
| tu esci | voi uscite |
| lui/lei/Lei esce | loro/Loro escono |
- Esco ogni sabato sera.
I go out every Saturday night. - Quando esci con lui?
When are you going out with him? - Anna esce con le amiche.
Anna goes out with her friends. - Usciamo dopo cena.
We’re going out after dinner. - I ragazzi escono presto.
The boys leave early.
9. sapere (to know a fact)
| io so | noi sappiamo |
| tu sai | voi sapete |
| lui/lei/Lei sa | loro/Loro sanno |
Remember that Italian has two verbs that mean to know: sapere (to know a fact, to know how to do something) and conscere (to be familiar with a place, person, etc.) Sapere followed by an infinitive means to know how; note that there’s no equivalent of how used in the Italian.
- So parlare tre lingue.
I know how to speak three languages. - Sai dove abita Luca?
Do you know where Luca lives? - Lei sa suonare il piano.
She knows how to play the piano. - Sappiamo che hai ragione.
We know you’re right. - Loro non sanno niente.
They don’t know anything.
10. bere (to drink)
| io bevo | noi beviamo |
| tu bevi | voi bevete |
| lui/lei/Lei beve | loro/Loro bevono |
Notice that bere becomes a completely regular –ere verb if you imagine the infinitive to be *bevere instead of bere.
- Bevo sempre acqua a pranzo.
I always drink water at lunch. - Cosa bevi di solito?
What do you usually drink? - Lei beve solo tè verde.
She only drinks green tea. - Beviamo un caffè insieme.
We’re drinking a coffee together. - I ragazzi bevono troppa soda.
The boys drink too much soda.
11. tradurre (to translate)
| io traduco | noi traduciamo |
| tu traduci | voi traducete |
| lui/lei/Lei traduce | loro/Loro traducono |
Notice that tradurre becomes a completely regular –ere verb if you imagine the infinitive to be *traducere instead of tradurre.
- Traduco i testi per lavoro.
I translate texts for work. - Traduci dall’inglese all’italiano?
Do you translate from English to Italian? - Lei traduce ogni giorno.
She translates every day. - Traduciamo insieme questo paragrafo.
Let’s translate this paragraph together. - Gli studenti traducono il testo.
The students are translating the text.
12. morire (to die)
| io muoio | noi moriamo |
| tu muori | voi morite |
| lui/lei/Lei muore | loro/Loro muoiono |
- Un pesce muore senza acqua.
A fish dies without water. - Purtroppo il gatto muore.
Unfortunately, the cat is dying. - Lui muore dalla voglia di viaggiare.
He is dying to travel (figurative). - Le piante muoiono senza sole.
The plants die without sun. - Muoio di caldo!
I’m dying of heat!
13. apparire (to appear)
| io appaio | noi appariamo |
| tu appari | voi apparite |
| lui/lei/Lei appare | loro/Loro appaiono |
- Appaio nei tuoi sogni?
Do I appear in your dreams? - Lei appare felice oggi.
She appears happy today. - A volte appari all’improvviso.
Sometimes you appear suddenly. - Appariamo in scena tra poco.
We appear on stage soon. - Le luci appaiono nel cielo.
The lights appear in the sky.
15. trarre (to pull / to draw)
| io traggo | noi traiamo |
| tu trai | voi traete |
| lui/lei/Lei trae | loro/Loro traggono |
- Traggo beneficio da questa esperienza.
I benefit from this experience. - Da dove trai questa idea?
Where do you get that idea from? - Lei trae ispirazione dai viaggi.
She draws inspiration from travels. - Traiamo conclusioni affrettate.
We draw hasty conclusions. - Gli artisti traggono emozioni dall’arte.
Artists draw emotions from art.
Trarre is a more formal or figurative verb, meaning to pull or draw in the sense of derive. For everyday pull, use tirare.
- Tiro fuori il cassetto.
I pull out the drawer. - Lei tira la sedia attraverso la stanza.
She pulls the chair across the room.
Modal Verbs
Now let’s look at three very useful verbs that you typically use with another verb in the infinitive. These are called modal verbs, because they express a certain mood that the speaker feels toward the verb in the infinitive: wanting, being able, having to, etc.
15. potere (to be able / can)
| io posso | noi possiamo |
| tu puoi | voi potete |
| lui/lei/Lei può | loro/Loro possono |
Potere is followed directly by an infinitive to mean can do or be able to do.
- Posso entrare?
Can I come in? - Puoi aiutarmi con questo?
Can you help me with this? - Lei non può venire oggi.
She can’t come today. - Possiamo iniziare adesso.
We can start now. - I bambini non possono guardare quel film.
The children can’t watch that movie.
16. volere (to want)
| io voglio | noi vogliamo |
| tu vuoi | voi volete |
| lui/lei/Lei vuole | loro/Loro vogliono |
Volere can be followed by a noun or an infinitive.
- Voglio un gelato.
I want an ice cream. - Cosa vuoi per cena?
What do you want for dinner? - Lei vuole andare in vacanza.
She wants to go on vacation. - Vogliamo vedere un film.
We want to watch a movie. - I bambini vogliono giocare.
The children want to play.
17. dovere (to have to / must; to owe)
| io devo | noi dobbiamo |
| tu devi | voi dovete |
| lui/lei/Lei deve | loro/Loro devono |
Dovere can be followed by an infinitive, in which case it means have to or must. Or it can have a noun or pronoun direct object, in which case it translates as to owe.
- Devo studiare per l’esame.
I have to study for the exam. - Devi parlare con lui.
You must speak with him. - Lui deve lavorare domani.
He has to work tomorrow. - Dobbiamo finire oggi.
We must finish today. - Devono uscire presto.
They have to leave early. - Ti devo dieci euro.
I owe you ten euros.
Verbs that add -g-
Now let’s look at a group of irregular verbs that add –g– to the io and loro forms.
18. venire (to come)
On top of adding –g-, venire is also irregular in that the root vowel –e– softens to –ie in the tu and lui/lei forms.
| io vengo | noi veniamo |
| tu vieni | voi venite |
| lui/lei/Lei viene | loro/Loro vengono |
- Vengo con te al supermercato.
I’m coming with you to the supermarket. - Vieni anche tu alla festa?
Are you coming to the party too? - Lei viene sempre in ritardo.
She always comes late. - Veniamo dalla Spagna.
We come from Spain. - I miei amici vengono domani.
My friends are coming tomorrow.
19. tenere (to hold / to keep)
On top of adding –g-, tenere is also irregular in that the root vowel –e– softens to –ie in the tu and lui/lei forms.
| io tengo | noi teniamo |
| tu tieni | voi tenete |
| lui/lei/Lei tiene | loro/Loro tengono |
- Tengo la porta aperta.
I’m holding the door open. - Tieni il mio numero, per favore.
Keep my number, please. - Lui tiene sempre tutto in ordine.
He always keeps everything tidy. - Teniamo la riunione domani.
We’re holding the meeting tomorrow. - I bambini tengono i giochi in camera.
The children keep the toys in their room.
20. salire (to go up / to get in)
| io salgo | noi saliamo |
| tu sali | voi salite |
| lui/lei/Lei sale | loro/Loro salgono |
- Salgo le scale lentamente.
I go up the stairs slowly. - Salite sull’autobus qui.
You (plural) get on the bus here. - Lui sale in macchina.
He gets into the car. - Saliamo sul tetto per vedere le stelle.
We go up on the roof to see the stars. - I turisti salgono sulla torre.
The tourists go up the tower.
21. rimanere (to remain / to stay)
| io rimango | noi rimaniamo |
| tu rimani | voi rimanete |
| lui/lei/Lei rimane | loro/Loro rimangono |
- Rimango a casa stasera.
I’m staying home tonight. - Rimani con noi?
Are you staying with us? - Lui rimane sempre calmo.
He always stays calm. - Rimaniamo amici.
We remain friends. - Loro rimangono fino a tardi.
They stay until late.
22. valere (to be worth)
| io valgo | noi valiamo |
| tu vali | voi valete |
| lui/lei/Lei vale | loro/Loro valgono |
- Questo quadro vale molto.
This painting is worth a lot. - Quanto vale questo orologio?
How much is this watch worth? - Lei vale più di quanto pensi.
She is worth more than you think. - Valiamo tutti qualcosa.
We all have value. - Le sue parole valgono oro.
His words are worth gold.
23. porre (to put / to place) (formal)
| io pongo | noi poniamo |
| tu poni | voi ponete |
| lui/lei/Lei pone | loro/Loro pongono |
- Pongo il libro sul tavolo.
I put the book on the table. - Dove poni la tua fiducia?
Where do you place your trust? - Lei pone molte domande.
She asks (literally: puts) many questions. - Poniamo attenzione ai dettagli.
We pay attention to details. - Gli insegnanti pongono regole chiare.
The teachers set clear rules.
Porre is typically used in more formal or abstract situations. Mettere is used very commonly in most everyday situations to mean put:
- Metto il libro sul tavolo.
I put the book on the table. - Hai messo le chiavi nella borsa?
Did you put the keys in the bag? - Metti il cappotto!
Put on your coat!
Verbs in -gliere
Finally, let’s two irregular verbs that end in –gliere. In both scegliere (to choose) and cogliere (to pick, to gather), the sequence –gl– reverses to –lg– in the io and loro forms.
24. scegliere (to choose)
| io scelgo | noi scegliamo |
| tu scegli | voi scegliete |
| lui/lei/Lei sceglie | loro/Loro scelgono |
- Scelgo il vestito rosso.
I choose the red dress. - Cosa scegli tu?
What are you choosing? - Lui sceglie sempre bene.
He always chooses well. - Scegliamo un ristorante italiano.
We’re choosing an Italian restaurant. - I clienti scelgono questo prodotto.
The customers choose this product.
25. cogliere (to pick / to gather)
| io colgo | noi cogliamo |
| tu cogli | voi cogliete |
| lui/lei/Lei coglie | loro/Loro colgono |
- Colgo l’occasione per ringraziarti.
I take the opportunity to thank you. - Cogli fiori in giardino?
Are you picking flowers in the garden? - Lei coglie ogni dettaglio.
She notices every detail. - Cogliamo i frutti del nostro lavoro.
We’re reaping the fruits of our labor. - I bambini colgono le mele.
The children are picking apples.
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