insegnare
/in.seɲˈɲa.re/
To teach in Italian is insegnare.
Insegnare is used when you are imparting knowledge or skills to someone else.
Meaning: to pass on knowledge (verb)
Which one should you use?
While insegnare refers to the act of teaching, the verb imparare is used to describe the act of learning.
How does it change in a sentence?
Insegnare is a regular -are verb. The past participle is insegnato.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable: /in.seɲˈɲa.re/.
Did you know?
- The verb insegnare shares a common ancestor with the English word 'sign', as both trace back to the Latin 'signare', meaning to mark with a sign.
- In a school setting, a teacher is not called an insegnante in casual conversation, but rather a maestro for primary school or a professore for higher education.
- The verb insegnare is used even when teaching a pet a trick, whereas English sometimes switches to 'train'.
Examples in context
- A te piace insegnare?Do you like to teach?This sentence uses insegnare to ask about a person's preference for teaching.Tatoeba #12305792 by Guybrush88, translation #12305297 by Miktsoanit
- Sa insegnare le lingue.He knows how to teach languages.This sentence uses insegnare to describe someone's ability to teach languages.Tatoeba #3802567 by Guybrush88, translation #1752051 by Amastan
- Lo devo insegnare a Tom.I have to teach Tom that.This sentence uses insegnare to express the necessity of teaching something to a specific person.Tatoeba #5562350 by Guybrush88, translation #2360599 by CK
- Posso insegnarti l'italiano?Can I teach you Italian?
- Mi piace insegnare ai bambiniI enjoy teaching children.
- Insegno storia all'universitàI teach history at the university.
- Vorrei insegnarti a suonare il pianoforteI would like to teach you how to play the piano.
- Posso insegnarti un trucco di magia?Can I teach you a magic trick?
- Ti voglio insegnare a cucinare la pastaI want to teach you how to cook pasta.
- Papà mi ha insegnato a nuotareDad taught me how to swim.
- Mi sto insegnando a suonare la chitarraI'm teaching myself to play the guitar.
- Vuoi imparare l'inglese? Puoi insegnartelo da soloDo you want to learn English? You can teach it to yourself.
- Mi piacerebbe insegnarti a dipingereI would like to teach you how to paint.
- Vuoi insegnarmi a cucinare la pizza?Do you want to teach me how to cook pizza?
- Insegnano inglese in questa scuolaThey teach English in this school.
- 199 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Sofia are talking about their hobbies.
- AlessandroVorrei insegnare a suonare la chitarra.I would like to teach how to play the guitar.
- SofiaÈ un'idea bellissima, Alessandro!That is a wonderful idea, Alessandro!
- AlessandroPensi che sia difficile insegnare ai bambini?Do you think it is difficult to teach children?
- SofiaSì, ma è molto gratificante.Yes, but it is very rewarding.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teach” translations and entries insegnare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries insegnare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
