muovere
/ˈmwɔ.ve.re/
The English phrase 'move' can be translated into Italian as muovere.
muovere is an intransitive verb meaning to change place, posture or to go. If you want to express the specific concept of 'moving house', you can use the phrase cambiare casa.
Meaning: (intransitive) to change place or posture, to go (verb)
Which one should you use?
While muovere refers to physical motion, you should use traslocare if you specifically mean moving from one residence to another. Additionally, if you want to tell someone to 'move over' to make room for you, use the phrase farsi da parte.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
While muovere can be used transitively to move an object, the reflexive form muoversi is much more common when describing a person moving their own body or changing their position.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈmwɔ.ve.re/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use muovere to mean moving to a new home. Instead, use traslocare for changing residences or cambiare casa for the act of moving house.
Did you know?
- The word muovere is the root of the Italian word emozione, which describes the 'movement' of the soul or feelings.
- The reflexive muoversi is used in the phrase muoversi presto, which means to act quickly or get a move on, rather than actually walking faster.
- The verb muovere shares the same Latin ancestor as the English word 'move', making them distant cousins through the root *movēre.
Examples in context
- Non ci vogliamo muovere.We don't want to move.This sentence shows how to use muovere in a negative context regarding desire.Tatoeba #5646958 by Guybrush88, translation #4888506 by CK
- Ci dobbiamo muovere ora.We have to move now.This sentence illustrates the necessity of moving using muovere.Tatoeba #7946671 by Guybrush88, translation #3312364 by CK
- Non ti muovere, per favore.Don't move, please.This sentence provides a polite way to tell someone not to move.Tatoeba #5486246 by Guybrush88, translation #280204 by CK
- È importante muoversi con cautela quando si trattano questioni finanziarie.It is important to move with caution when dealing with financial matters.
- Ho deciso di trasferirmi a Firenze per motivi di lavoro.I have decided to move to Florence for work reasons.
- Dai ragazzi, dobbiamo muoverci se vogliamo arrivare in tempo alla festa.Come on guys, we need to move if we want to arrive in time for the party.
- Hai visto il gatto? Si è spostato sul divano.Did you see the cat? It moved onto the couch.
- Loro hanno deciso di cambiare casa.They have decided to move house.
- Potresti farti da parte?Could you move over?
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Martina and Alessandro are waiting for a train that is delayed.
- MartinaIl treno è in ritardo, non possiamo muovere.The train is late, we can't move.
- AlessandroHai ragione, restiamo qui ad aspettare.You're right, let's stay here and wait.
- MartinaMa non vuoi muovere per andare al bar?But don't you want to move to go to the bar?
- AlessandroNo, preferisco stare seduto, Martina.No, I prefer to stay seated, Martina.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry muovere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries muovere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
