concedere
/konˈt͡ʃɛ.de.re/
To concede in Italian is concedere.
The verb concedere is used to admit that something is true, but it also carries the sense of granting a favor, a right or permission. For example, you might use it when allowing yourself a luxury, such as concedersi un momento di riposo (to allow oneself a moment of rest).
Meaning: to admit to be true (verb)
Which one should you use?
While concedere can be used to admit a point in an argument, it differs from the verb ammettere (to admit) because concedere also encompasses the meaning of granting or allowing something.
How does it change in a sentence?
Concedere is a regular second-conjugation verb ending in -ere. In subordinate clauses following verbs of doubt, emotion or specific conjunctions like benché, you should use the present subjunctive form conceda. The noun form of this verb is concessione.
How do you pronounce it?
/konˈtʃɛ.de.re/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The noun concessione is the same word used for a 'concession' in a commercial context, such as a stand in a shopping mall or a kiosk in a cinema.
- In an Italian argument, using concedere instead of ammettere can subtly imply that you are 'granting' the other person the win as a favor, rather than simply agreeing they are right.
- The Italian verb concedere is a direct descendant of the Latin concēdere, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'concede'.
Examples in context
- Devo ammettere che hai ragioneI have to concede that you are right.
- Mi conceda di ammettere la mia colpaAllow me to concede my guilt.
- Riconosco che hai ragioneI concede that you are right.
- Devo ammettere che sei bravoI have to concede that you are talented.
- Ti do ragione, hai vintoI concede, you've won.
- Non posso fare altro che ammettere la tua vittoria.I can't do anything other than concede your victory.
- Devo ammettere che mi hai sorpreso con la tua performance.I have to concede that you surprised me with your performance.
- Ti do ragione, accetto il tuo punto di vista.I concede, I accept your point of view.
- Non voglio concedere il punto.I do not want to concede the point.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Martina are arguing about a football match.
- LorenzoLa mia squadra ha giocato meglio.My team played better.
- MartinaMa hanno perso la partita, Lorenzo.But they lost the game, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoOk, devo concedere che il risultato è pessimo.Ok, I must concede that the result is terrible.
- MartinaFinalmente lo ammetti, Martina è contenta!Finally you admit it, Martina is happy!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry concedere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries concedere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
