Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| sedersi | /seˈder.si/ |
| sedere | /seˈde.re/ |
| essere seduto |
In Italian, the concept of sitting is divided between the physical action of lowering oneself into a seat and the state of being in a seated position.
Which one should you use?
Use sedersi to express the action of sitting down. To describe the state of already being seated (to be sitting or to be seated), use the phrase essere seduto. While sedersi is the most common way to express the action, the non-reflexive form sedere is often used in formal or literary contexts to mean the same thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The reflexive form sedersi is the most common way to express the action of sitting down.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /seˈder.si/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using sedere to describe the state of being seated. Instead, use essere seduto to indicate that someone is already in a sitting position.
Did you know?
- The Italian word sedere is a homonym that also refers to the anatomical 'bottom' or 'buttocks'.
- The Italian word for 'seated', seduto, exists because the direct Latin descendant, sessus, was avoided to prevent confusion with the word sesso, which means 'sex'.
- In many Italian regions, if you want to tell someone to 'sit down' politely, you might use the verb accomodarsi, which literally means 'to make oneself comfortable' instead of using a direct command to sit.
Examples in context
- Si può sedere qui.He can sit here.This sentence shows the use of sedere to mean the action of sitting.Tatoeba #10665145 by Guybrush88, translation #8478869 by CH
- Lo forzò a sedersi.She forced him to sit down.This sentence demonstrates the use of sedersi for the action of sitting down.Tatoeba #6300013 by Guybrush88, translation #887120 by CK
- La forzò a sedersi.He forced her to sit down.Tatoeba #12680411 by Guybrush88, translation #304012 by CK
- 233 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are arriving at a cafe.
- MatteoPreferisci sederti vicino alla finestra?Do you prefer to sit near the window?
- SofiaSì, preferisco sedermi lì.Yes, I prefer to sit there.
- MatteoAllora possiamo sedersi subito.Then we can sit down right away.
- SofiaPerfetto, sediamoci!Perfect, let's sit!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sit” translations and entries sedersi, sedere, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries essere, sedere, seduto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
