Mastering Regular -IRE Verbs
In Italian, many -ire verbs like capire (to understand) and finire (to finish) add an -isc- sound in most of their present tense forms. This is called an extended conjugation.
How to Conjugate Capire (to understand)
- io capisco (I understand)
- tu capisci (you understand)
- lui/lei capisce (he/she understands)
- noi capiamo (we understand)
- voi capite (you all understand)
- loro capiscono (they understand)
Common Mistake
Don't forget the -isc-! Beginners often say io capisco as io capiro. Remember that noi and voi do not use the -isc- infix.
Words
capire
to understand
Io capisco l'italiano.I understand Italian.
finire
to finish
Noi finiamo il pranzo.We finish lunch.
preferire
to prefer
Tu preferisci il tè o il caffè?Do you prefer tea or coffee?
pulire
to clean
Loro puliscono la cucina.They clean the kitchen.
spedire
to send
Io spedisco una lettera.I send a letter.
capisco
I understand
Non capisco questa parola.I don't understand this word.
finisci
you finish
Tu finisci presto oggi.You finish early today.
preferisce
he/she prefers
Marco preferisce la pizza.Marco prefers pizza.
Lessons are prepared with the help of AI.
Patterns
Io capisco ___.
Use this to say you understand something specific in Italian.
Io capisco la lezione.I understand the lesson.
Tu preferisci ___?
Use this to ask someone what they prefer.
Tu preferisci l'acqua o il vino?Do you prefer water or wine?
Quando finisci ___?
Use this to ask when someone finishes an activity.
Quando finisci il lavoro?When do you finish work?