attaccare
/at.takˈka.re/
The Italian verb for "attack" is attaccare.
The primary meaning of attaccare is an attempt to cause damage, injury or death. However, in many contexts, it is more commonly used to mean "to attach" or "to stick" something to something else. In the context of soccer, it also means to move forward in an attempt to score a point.
Meaning: attempt to cause damage, injury, or death (noun)
Which one should you use?
attaccare is a general term for an attack, whereas aggredire is more specific to a sudden physical or verbal assault on a person. For more formal or literary contexts describing a violent or sudden attack, use assalire.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /at.takˈka.re/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The phrase attaccare bottoni literally means 'to attach buttons' but is used to describe chatting about trivial things.
- While attaccare can mean to attack, the word attaccamento refers to a deep emotional 'attachment' or 'bond' to a person or place.
- If an Italian says they are staccando la spina, they are literally 'unplugging' themselves to take a break from work.
Examples in context
- L'esercito nemico iniziò ad attaccare.The hostile army began to attack.This sentence shows the use of attaccare regarding a hostile army.Tatoeba #10536694 by Guybrush88, translation #278693 by shekitten
- Perché qualcuno vorrebbe attaccare Tatoeba?Why would anyone want to attack Tatoeba?This sentence uses attaccare in a questioning context.Tatoeba #5632111 by Guybrush88, translation #3068191 by Hybrid
- Non mi attaccare.Don't attack me.This sentence uses the negative imperative with attaccare.Tatoeba #6968383 by Guybrush88, translation #4401092 by CK
- L'esercito ha sferrato un violento attacco.The army launched a violent attack.
- Il giocatore è stato colpito da un attacco di panico.The player was hit by a panic attack.
- La vittima ha subito un'aggressione verbale molto violenta.The victim suffered a very violent verbal attack.
- Siamo stati presi d'assalto dai tifosi dopo aver vinto la partita.We were mobbed by fans after winning the game.
- Il cane ha dato un assalto improvviso al cibo.The dog made a sudden attack on the food.
- Ho visto quell'attacco di risate al bar.I witnessed that burst of laughter at the bar.
- Lui mi ha fatto un attacco di gelosia senza alcun motivo.He had a jealous outburst towards me for no reason.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are discussing a movie about a war.
- SofiaQuando decidono di attaccare la città?When do they decide to attack the city?
- MatteoLo fanno verso la fine del film.They do it towards the end of the movie.
- SofiaÈ rischioso attaccare di notte.It is risky to attack at night.
- MatteoSì, ma è l'unico modo per vincere.Yes, but it is the only way to win.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry attaccare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
