How to Use the Present Tense in Italian (Il Presente Indicativo)

This would typically be a paid lesson, but it’s such a fundamental piece of grammar that I decided to make it free for everyone. If you’re looking for new content for paying subscribers, I just uploaded native-recorded audio to this dialogue with two people making small talk at the bar. Buono studio!

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The Italian present tense is one of the best things to master first with your grammar.

This is because it expresses things like: I am going to the store, I want to listen to music, or I want to eat pie.

Like right now – in this moment – I want to eat pie.

Looooophole: There is a tense that expresses what is happening in that exact moment, and it’s called the gerund.

Ready? Here we go with the present tense.

There are three kinds of verbs in Italian: verbs that end in -are, -ere, and -ire.

Verbs that end in -are look like this.

Cantare – to sing

Canto       Cantiamo

Canti        Cantate

Canta       Cantano

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Verbs that end in -ire look like this:

Sentire – to hear, to feel, to smell

Sento      Sentiamo

Senti       Sentite

Sente      Sentono

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Verbs that end in -ere look like this:

Credere – to believe, to think

Credo      Crediamo

Credi       Credete

Crede      Credono

Gli esempi:

• Parliamo di Giulia. – We’re talking about Giulia. (verb = parlare – to speak)

• Preferisci mangiare il pesce o la carne? – Do you prefer to eat fish or meat? (verb = preferire – to prefer)

• Lo senti quel profumo? È meraviglioso! – Do you smell that scent? It’s amazing! (verb = sentire – to hear, to feel, to smell)

• Studio l’italiano ogni giorno. – I study Italian every day. (verb = studiare – to study)

• Lavoro sette giorni su sette. – I work seven days a week. (verb = lavorare – to work)

• Scrivo un messaggio a mia sorella. – I’m writing a message to my sister. (verb = scrivere – to write)

Now. That’s all you need to know ever to express yourself in the present tense.

Ha, that’s a lie. There’s always more. Before I make you sad again, I’ll give you a little tip as a gift.

Did you notice a pattern in the previous verb conjugations? Take a look at the first one and the last one.

Cocktail Party Fact: They’re basically adding the endings -ano and -ono to the last one (3rd personal, plural). So if you ever forget either of them, remember that little tip to keep you from looking dumbstruck too often during conversation with fluent Italian speakers.

There are these pesky little, but still really cool, verbs called irregular verbs.

And despite what the popular masses and the propagandists might say, they are not our enemy.

I mean, once you start learning all about them, starting here first, you might think so. But I like to think of them as verbs with a whole lotta’ diversity and character. Like verbs that refuse to conform. They’re rebels!

And rebels are cool.

Rebels change the world.

You can learn about these rebels here:

And while these verbs might not be changing the world anytime soon, they still help us express ourselves in this beautiful language.

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Note of language love: All of our articles, lessons, and podcast episodes have been edited by Irene Malentacchi, the founder of Italian in Love. However, if you find a mistake, let us know! We want these articles to be accurate, accessible, and easy to understand. Reach out directly at italianwithcher@gmail.com or leave a comment. Grazie in anticipo!