How to Say "Strike" in Italian

colpire

/kolˈpi.re/

To strike in Italian, meaning to hit, is colpire.

colpire means to strike or hit, both literally and figuratively, as when an illness or bad news strikes.

Meaning: to hit (verb)

Which one should you use?

Strike in the sense of a work stoppage is sciopero, a completely different word.

colpire is a regular verb ending in ire that adds an extra syllable in some present tense forms.

It is pronounced /kolˈpi.re/, in three syllables, with the stress on the second.

The noun form of the verb, colpo, is used in many common Italian expressions, such as colpo di fulmine which means 'a strike of lightning' but is actually the way Italians describe 'love at first sight'.
To describe a sudden idea striking someone, Italians do not use colpire but instead use venire, as in gli venne in mente, which literally means 'it came to his mind'.
In Italian, you can say someone was colpito by a piece of art or a person, meaning they were deeply impressed or smitten, not physically hit.

Se la rissa è inevitabile, bisogna colpire per primi.
If a fight is inevitable, you have to strike first.
colpire per primi means to strike first.
Tatoeba #5409137 by dnnywld, translation #7002984 by Adelpa
Le parole possono colpire più duramente di qualsiasi attacco fisico.
Words can strike harder than any physical attack.
colpire is used here figuratively, for words that hurt.
Tatoeba #13011158 by Nuel, translation #13011157 by Nuel
Il coronavirus potrebbe colpire fino a 10 milioni di tedeschi a meno che non vengano prese le dovute precauzioni, incluso il distanziamento sociale.
The coronavirus could strike as many as 10 million Germans unless proper precautions are taken, including social distancing.
colpire here means to affect, for a disease that strikes people.
Tatoeba #8637226 by Guybrush88, translation #8626097 by Hybrid

Matteo and Giulia are playing a game of tennis.

Matteo

Devi colpire la pallina con forza.
You must hit the ball with force.
Giulia

Ci provo, ma è difficile.
I'm trying, but it's difficult.
Matteo

Guarda bene la palla prima di colpire.
Watch the ball closely before you hit it.
Giulia

Grazie, Matteo, lo farò meglio.
Thanks, Matteo, I will do better.

Sources

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