Italian verbs ending in -ARE are the foundation of the language. If you are starting from zero (A1 level), this is the first and most important grammar topic you need to master.
The good news?
👉 They are also the easiest verbs to learn.
In this guide, you will find:
- clear explanations
- conjugation tables
- real examples
- exercises
- a video quiz to test yourself
🎥 Video Quiz (Test Your Level)
👉 Watch the video and try to answer:
What are -ARE verbs in Italian?
Italian verbs are divided into 3 groups:
- -ARE (parlare – to speak)
- -ERE (vedere – to see)
- -IRE (dormire – to sleep)
👉 The -ARE group is the most common and easiest.
Quick rule (table — snippet)
| Infinitive | Stem | Ending |
|---|---|---|
| parlare | parl- | -are |
👉 To conjugate:
- Remove -ARE
- Add endings
Conjugation of -ARE verbs (Present Tense)
Example: parlare (to speak)
| Subject | Form |
|---|---|
| io | parlo |
| tu | parli |
| lui/lei | parla |
| noi | parliamo |
| voi | parlate |
| loro | parlano |
Essential Italian -ARE Verbs List (A1 Level)
Below is a list of the most important Italian verbs ending in -ARE that every beginner (A1 level) should know.
These verbs are used daily in real conversations and form the foundation of Italian speaking skills.
Quick rule (table — snippet)
| Infinitive | Meaning |
|---|---|
| parlare | to speak |
| lavorare | to work |
| mangiare | to eat |
| studiare | to study |
Core -ARE Verbs You Must Know
💬 Communication
- parlare — to speak
- ascoltare — to listen
- raccontare — to tell / to narrate
- domandare — to ask
- telefonare — to call / to phone
- salutare — to greet
❤️ Emotions and Thinking
- amare — to love
- odiare — to hate
- pensare — to think
- desiderare — to desire / to wish
- ricordare — to remember
- dimenticare — to forget
🏠 Daily Life Verbs
- abitare — to live / to reside
- lavorare — to work
- studiare — to study
- imparare — to learn
- cucinare — to cook
- lavare — to wash
🍝 Everyday Actions
- mangiare — to eat
- comprare — to buy
- pagare — to pay
- ordinare — to order
- prenotare — to book / to reserve
🚶 Movement and Activities
- arrivare — to arrive
- camminare — to walk
- viaggiare — to travel
- entrare — to enter
- attraversare — to cross
- saltare — to jump / to skip
🎯 Actions and Processes
- cominciare — to begin / to start
- continuare — to continue
- cambiare — to change
- completare — to complete / to fill in
- confermare — to confirm
🎨 Hobbies and Activities
- ballare — to dance
- cantare — to sing
- suonare — to play (an instrument)
- giocare — to play (games/sports)
- disegnare — to draw
🚗 Practical Verbs
- guidare — to drive
- portare — to carry / to bring
- cercare — to search / to look for
- trovare — to find
- toccare — to touch
⏳ Time and State
- aspettare — to wait
- passare — to spend (time) / to pass
- riposare — to rest
- funzionare — to work / to function
🏢 Other Useful Verbs
- frequentare — to attend
- affittare — to rent (house/apartment)
- noleggiare — to rent / to hire (cars, objects)
- guadagnare — to earn
- indovinare — to guess
- stampare — to print
- litigare — to argue
- passeggiare — to take a walk
How to Learn These Verbs Effectively
👉 Best strategy:
- learn 5–10 verbs per day
- create simple sentences
- repeat aloud
- use them in real situations
- practice with quiz videos
Example sentences
- Parlo italiano
- Mangio una pizza
- Lavoro molto
- Studio ogni giorno
- Abito a Roma
👉 With just these verbs, you can already speak basic Italian.
Special cases (very important!)
Verbs ending in -CARE / -GARE
👉 Add H to keep the hard sound
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| giocare | giochiamo |
| pagare | paghiamo |
Verbs ending in -CIARE / -GIARE
👉 Sometimes the i disappears
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| mangiare | mangiamo |
| studiare | studiamo |
How to use -ARE verbs in real conversation
These verbs allow you to start speaking immediately:
👉 Io parlo italiano
👉 Io lavoro
👉 Io studio
👉 You can combine them with many words to create sentences.
Exercises
Exercise 1 — Conjugate
Conjugate:
- parlare
- lavorare
- studiare
Exercise 2 — Choose the correct answer
- Io ___ italiano
a) parla
b) parlo
c) parli - Noi ___ molto
a) lavoriamo
b) lavora
c) lavori
Exercise 3 — Translate
- I speak Italian
- We study
- They work
Common mistakes
❌ Io parlare
✔ Io parlo
❌ Noi mangia
✔ Noi mangiamo
❌ Loro parla
✔ Loro parlano
How to learn -ARE verbs fast
👉 Practical tips:
- learn 5–10 verbs first
- practice daily
- speak out loud
- use quiz videos
If you want to learn Italian step by step:
👉 https://online-fda.com/en/italian-for-beginners-a1-a2/
Or follow a complete course:
👉 https://online-fda.com/en/italian-course-online/
FAQ
Are -ARE verbs difficult?
No, they are the easiest verbs in Italian.
How many verbs should I learn?
Start with 5–10.
Can I start speaking with them?
Yes, they are the foundation of communication.
Conclusion
Italian verbs in -ARE are the starting point of your language journey. Once you master them, you will be able to build sentences and communicate in everyday situations.
