Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| cogliere | /ˈkɔʎ.ʎe.re/ |
| collezionare | /kol.let.t͡sjoˈna.re/ |
| radunarsi | /ra.duˈnar.si/ |
In Italian, the word used for gather depends heavily on what is being gathered. You use cogliere when the sense involves picking something, such as fruit or seizing a moment or an opportunity. It is also used metaphorically to mean grasping an idea. If you are talking about the hobby of collecting items like stamps or coins, use collezionare. When people or animals are gathering together in a specific place, use radunarsi.
Which one should you use?
The different forms of gather are used in specific contexts: use cogliere for picking or seizing, collezionare for the hobby of collecting and radunarsi when people or animals assemble in one place. Additionally, riunire and radunare can both mean to gather and they can be used interchangeably, though radunare may have a slightly more formal tone than riunire.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form radunarsi is a reflexive verb, which means the action of gathering is directed back at the subjects who are coming together.
How do you pronounce it?
The word cogliere is pronounced /ˈkɔʎ.ʎe.re/. It has three syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The verb cogliere is used in the phrase cogliere in flagrante, which means to catch someone 'red-handed' or in the act of doing something wrong.
- While collezionare means to gather a collection, the word collezione also refers to a fashion designer's seasonal line of clothing.
- The Latin ancestor of cogliere is colligere, which reveals that the word is built from the roots for 'together' and 'pick'.
Examples in context
- Una folla cominciò a radunarsi, attirata dal suo entusiasmo.A crowd began to gather, drawn in by her enthusiasm.This sentence shows a crowd beginning to gather.Tatoeba #13175475 by Nuel, translation #13175474 by Nuel
- Una delle abitudini dei dipendenti è quella di radunarsi in qualche bar o ristorante alla fine della giornata lavorativa per ubriacarsi e dimenticare la loro vita miserabile fino al giorno successivo.One of the employees' habits is to gather in some bar or restaurant at the end of the workday to get drunk and forget their miserable life until the next day.This sentence describes the habit of employees gathering in a bar or restaurant.Tatoeba #5668454 by Guybrush88, translation #4436043 by banichka
- Dobbiamo riunire tutti i dipendenti per una riunione importante.We need to gather all the employees for an important meeting.
- Il sindaco sta radunando il consiglio comunale per discutere delle nuove leggi.The mayor is gathering the city council to discuss new laws.
- Andrò a raccogliere i documenti necessari per la riunione.I will go and collect the necessary documents for the meeting.
- Domani ci possiamo incontrare al bar per prendere un caffè?Can we meet up at the café tomorrow for a coffee?
- Devo cogliere i frutti del mio lavoro.I must gather the fruits of my labor.
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are planning a garden activity.
- GiuliaLorenzo, vuoi aiutarmi a cogliere le rose?Lorenzo, do you want to help me gather the roses?
- LorenzoCerto, Giulia, dove sono i fiori?Sure, Giulia, where are the flowers?
- GiuliaSono tutti nel vaso in giardino.They are all in the pot in the garden.
- LorenzoPerfetto, prendo subito il cesto.Perfect, I'll get the basket right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gather” translations and entries cogliere, collezionare, radunarsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cogliere, collezionare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
