Italian Verbs 101: How to Master Regular -ARE, -ERE, and -IRE Verbs
Learn how to confidently use regular -ARE, -ERE, and -IRE Italian verbs with this beginner-friendly guide from Polyglottist Language Academy in Berkeley. Perfect for students in Berkeley, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
Welcome to the Heart of the Italian Language
When most people dream about learning Italian, they picture strolling through Rome with gelato in hand, chatting effortlessly with locals in lyrical, expressive Italian. But soon after they open a textbook or download a language app, they hit a wall: verbs. Suddenly that charming phrase “Parlo italiano” (“I speak Italian”) turns into a puzzle of endings, pronouns, and conjugations.
Sound familiar?
Don’t worry—you're in the right place.
Verbs are the backbone of any sentence, and in Italian, mastering regular verbs is the key to unlocking fluency. Whether you're planning your first trip to Italy, learning Italian for family, romance, or simply for fun, this guide will break down how to conquer regular verbs ending in -ARE, -ERE, and -IRE—without the stress.
This is especially important if you're learning Italian right here in the San Francisco Bay Area. At Polyglottist Language Academy in Berkeley, we’ve seen hundreds of learners from San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose transform from beginners into confident speakers—all by starting with these regular verbs.
Ready to dive in? Let’s turn confusion into confidence.
Why Regular Verbs Matter
Italian verbs come in three families:
-ARE (like parlare – to speak)
-ERE (like credere – to believe)
-IRE (like dormire – to sleep)
While irregular verbs tend to get the most attention (and anxiety), regular verbs make up a huge portion of the language—and they follow predictable patterns that make them easier to learn and use.
Once you know how to conjugate one regular -ARE verb, you can conjugate hundreds. The same goes for -ERE and -IRE verbs. This makes them incredibly efficient to learn—especially if you're juggling Italian with work, school, or family life in the fast-paced Bay Area.
Step-by-Step Guide to Conjugating Regular Verbs
Let’s walk through the process with clarity and examples. We'll use the present tense, the most common tense for everyday conversation.
🔹 1. Regular -ARE Verbs
Let’s use parlare (to speak) as our example.
Step 1: Remove the –ARE ending
parlare → parl-
Step 2: Add the present tense endings
Subject Ending Example
Io (I) -o parlo — I speak
Tu (you) -i parli — you speak
Lui/Lei (he/she) -a parla — he/she speaks
Noi (we) -iamo parliamo — we speak
Voi (you all) -ate parlate — you all speak
Loro (they) -ano parlano — they speak
💡 Quick Tip:
The “noi” form always ends in -iamo for -ARE verbs. Easy to spot!
🔹 2. Regular -ERE Verbs
Let’s use credere (to believe) as our example.
Step 1: Remove the –ERE ending
credere → cred-
Step 2: Add the present tense endings
Subject Ending Example
Io -o credo — I believe
Tu -I credi — you believe
Lui/Lei -e crede — he/she believes
Noi -Iamo crediamo — we believe
Voi -ete credete — you all believe
Loro -ono credono — they believe
💡 Quick Tip:
The “voi” form here ends in -ete, not -ate. That’s how you know it’s not an -ARE verb!
🔹 3. Regular -IRE Verbs
Let’s use dormire (to sleep) as our example.
Step 1: Remove the –IRE ending
dormire → dorm-
Step 2: Add the present tense endings
Subject Ending Example
Io -o dormo — I sleep
Tu -i dormi — you sleep
Lui/Lei -e dorme — he/she sleeps
Noi -iamo dormiamo — we sleep
Voi -ite dormite — you all sleep
Loro -ono dormono — they sleep
💡 Quick Tip:
The “voi” form ends in -ite for regular -IRE verbs—very distinct!
Watch Out: The “-isc” Verbs
Some -IRE verbs sneak in an -isc- between the root and the ending in all forms except noi and voi.
Example: capire (to understand)
Subject Example
Io capisco
Tu capisci
Lui/Lei capisce
Noi capiamo (no -isc!)
Voi capite (no -isc!)
Loro capiscono
These “-isc” verbs follow a slightly different pattern, but they’re still predictable. At our Italian classes in Berkeley and San Jose, we teach learners how to recognize and use them naturally in conversation.
How to Practice Italian Verbs in Daily Life (Even in California!)
Here’s how you can practice right here in the Bay Area:
Order food in Italian at home or at an Italian café (Mangio una pizza! – I eat a pizza!)
Label objects in your home and form simple sentences: Apro la finestra – I open the window.
Join an in-person Italian class in Berkeley or San Francisco to get speaking feedback in real time.
Use flashcards for verb forms or write mini-dialogues about your day.
Talk to yourself while cooking, walking, or commuting: Prendo il treno a San Jose – I take the train to San Jose.
How We Teach This at Polyglottist Language Academy
At Polyglottist Language Academy in Berkeley, we don’t just teach grammar—we make it come alive. Our Italian classes combine structure with conversation, so you’re not just memorizing verbs, but using them right away.
We offer:
✅ In-person classes in Berkeley
✅ Online options for students from San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose
✅ Small, interactive groups with experienced, friendly instructors
✅ Real-world practice scenarios (ordering, introducing, describing)
🎯 Ready to speak Italian with confidence?
Sign up today and start your Italian journey with us at Polyglottist Language Academy. Whether you’re in Berkeley or anywhere in the Bay Area, we’ll help you master Italian one verb at a time.
FAQs: Regular Italian Verbs
❓What’s the fastest way to memorize regular Italian verb endings?
Practice in context! Instead of drills, use the verbs in short phrases about your own life. Flashcards help, but speaking aloud helps most.
❓Are most Italian verbs regular or irregular?
Most are regular—especially at beginner level. Once you master the patterns, you’ll recognize them quickly.
❓What’s the difference between -IRE and -ISC verbs?
“-ISC” verbs insert -isc- before the endings for io, tu, lui/lei, and loro. It changes pronunciation and spelling slightly but still follows rules.
❓Do I need to memorize all six forms of every verb?
Eventually, yes—but start with io, tu, and lui/lei to build confidence. Expand as you go.
❓Is it okay to mix up endings when I speak?
It happens! Italians are forgiving with learners, especially if you’re making an effort. The key is regular practice and corrections.
❓How do I know which verbs use -ARE, -ERE, or -IRE?
You’ll learn through exposure. Until then, look up new verbs in a dictionary or app to confirm.
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