disintegrare
/di.zin.teˈɡra.re/
The English verb 'disintegrate' is translated into Italian as disintegrare.
disintegrare means to break up into one's parts.
Meaning: break up into one's parts (verb)
Which one should you use?
While disintegrare is a standard way to express the concept, other verbs may be more appropriate depending on the context. For instance, Frantumarsi is used when emphasizing the process of breaking into small pieces and Decomporre is commonly employed in scientific or technical contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
disintegrare is a regular second-conjugation verb ending in -are. The third-person singular present indicative form is disintegra, and the past participle used for compound tenses is disintegrato.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable: /di.zin.teˈɡra.re/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the root integro means 'whole' or 'honest'. Therefore, to disintegrare something is not just to break it, but to strip away its integrity.
- While disintegrare sounds very formal, using it to describe a romantic relationship's end would sound strangely dramatic, as if the couple underwent a nuclear meltdown.
- The term polverizzare is often used in place of disintegrare when the result of the breaking is specifically a fine powder or dust.
Examples in context
- Il legno si è sfaldato a causa dell'umiditàThe wood disintegrated due to humidity
- La roccia si è frantumata a causa di un forte terremotoThe rock disintegrated due to a strong earthquake
- L'urna è caduta e è andata in frantumiThe urn fell and disintegrated into pieces
- La carta si disintegra quando si bagna.The paper disintegrates when it gets wet.
- La fattoria è stata distrutta e la vecchia stalla si è sfaldata.The farm was destroyed, and the old stable disintegrated.
- Il calore estremo può disintegrare la materia.Extreme heat can disintegrate matter.
Example conversation
Sofia and Lorenzo are looking at a very old piece of paper in a museum.
- SofiaGuarda come si inizia a disintegrare.Look how it's starting to disintegrate.
- LorenzoÈ troppo vecchio per essere toccato.It is too old to be touched.
- SofiaSpero che non si possa disintegrare del tutto.I hope it doesn't disintegrate completely.
- LorenzoIl museo userà dei prodotti speciali.The museum will use special products.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry disintegrare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
