migliorare
/miʎ.ʎoˈra.re/
The Italian phrase for 'get better' is migliorare.
migliorare is used when you are talking about improving a skill or a quality.
Which one should you use?
Use migliorare when referring to improving a skill or quality, but use guarire when referring to a person recovering from an illness.
How does it change in a sentence?
migliorare is a transitive verb, which means it usually takes a direct object to indicate what is being improved.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of migliorare is /miʎ.ʎoˈra.re/. It has 4 syllables, and the stress is on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word migliorare is an unexpected relative of the English word 'ameliorate'. Both derive from the same Latin root meaning 'to make better'.
- If you tell a person recovering from a cold migliorare! you might sound like you are commanding them to 'improve themselves' like a student, rather than wishing them health.
- When talking about the weather 'getting better', Italians often use migliorare, treating the atmosphere like a skill or quality that can be refined.
Examples in context
- Voglio migliorare a tennis.I want to get better at tennis.This example shows how to use migliorare regarding a skill like tennis.Tatoeba #14001875 by Guybrush88, translation #5193515 by CK
- Oramai puoi solo migliorare.Now you can only get better.Tatoeba #3211205 by Guybrush88, translation #11168752 by gcaplan
- Voglio migliorare in francese.I want to get better at French.This example shows how to use migliorare regarding a skill like French.Tatoeba #8451719 by Guybrush88, translation #6258698 by CK
- Signora Rossi, le auguro di guarire presto.Mrs. Rossi, I wish you to get better soon.
- Spero che tu ti ristabilisca presto.I hope you recover soon.
- Ciao Luca, guarisci presto!Hi Luca, get well soon!
- Spero ti rimetti presto, Anna.I hope you get better soon, Anna.
- Recupera presto, amico mio!Recover soon, my friend!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Matteo are talking about their cooking skills.
- GiuliaDevo migliorare la mia cucina.I need to get better at cooking.
- MatteoPuoi leggere qualche libro di ricette.You can read some cookbooks.
- GiuliaCredi che possa migliorare velocemente?Do you think I can get better quickly?
- MatteoSì, Giulia, con la pratica ce la farai.Yes, Giulia, with practice you will make it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry migliorare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries migliorare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
