Italian verbs change their endings according to who performs an action. This change is called conjugation. In the present tense (presente indicativo), regular verbs follow predictable patterns, making them easier to learn than irregular verbs. Italian regular verbs are divided into three main groups according to their infinitive endings: -are, -ere, and -ire. The infinitive is the basic form of a verb, such as parlare (to speak), prendere (to take), or dormire (to sleep). To form the present tense, you generally remove the infinitive ending and add a new ending that agrees with the subject. These forms are used to talk about actions happening now, habits, and general facts. Depending on the context, studio can mean I study or I am studying, so the same present-tense form can describe both a regular activity and something happening at the moment.
The Three Regular Verb Groups
The first group includes verbs ending in -are, such as parlare (to speak), lavorare (to work), and studiare (to study). To conjugate parlare, remove -are to obtain the stem parl-, then add the appropriate present-tense ending. The ending depends on the person (io, tu, etc.) and number (singular or plural) of the subject. For example, parlare → parl- → parlo produces I speak. The second group includes verbs ending in -ere, such as prendere (to take), vendere (to sell), and leggere (to read). The third group includes verbs ending in -ire, such as dormire (to sleep), partire (to leave), and aprire (to open). Both groups follow the same basic method as -are verbs, but each uses its own set of endings. Once you identify the verb group, you can use the appropriate endings to form the present tense.
Parlo italiano. — I speak Italian.
Prendi il treno. — You take the train.
Dormiamo otto ore. — We sleep eight hours.
Lavorano a Roma. — They work in Rome.
A Common Pattern with -ire Verbs
Some frequently used -ire verbs follow a second present-tense pattern. Verbs such as capire (to understand), finire (to finish), and preferire (to prefer) add -isc- between the stem and the ending in the io, tu, lui/lei, and loro forms. For example, capisco means I understand. The noi and voi forms do not add -isc-, so capiamo means we understand. Both patterns are common, so it is useful to learn whether a new -ire verb follows the dormire or capire model.
Capisco la domanda. — I understand the question.
Preferisci il tè? — Do you prefer tea?
Finiamo il lavoro. — We finish the work.
Summary of Regular Present-Tense Conjugations
| Subject | Parlare (-are) | Prendere (-ere) | Dormire (-ire) | Capire (-isc-) |
| io | parlo | prendo | dormo | capisco |
| tu | parli | prendi | dormi | capisci |
| lui / lei / Lei | parla | prende | dorme | capisce |
| noi | parliamo | prendiamo | dormiamo | capiamo |
| voi | parlate | prendete | dormite | capite |
| loro | parlano | prendono | dormono | capiscono |