The Top 10 Most Commonly Used Irregular Verbs in Italian: With Sample Conjugations

If you're learning Italian, you've probably already noticed that there are a number of irregular verbs that don't follow regular conjugation patterns. These verbs can be a bit tricky to master, but with some practice, you'll be using them like a pro!

To help you get started, we've compiled a list of the most commonly used irregular verbs in Italian, along with sample conjugations.

1. Essere (to be)

Verb Essere (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	sono	I am
Tu	sei	You are
Lui/Lei	è	He/She is
Noi	siamo	We are
Voi	siete	You (plural) are
Loro	sono	They are

2. Avere (to have)

Verb Avere (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	ho	I have
Tu	hai	You have
Lui/Lei	ha	He/She has
Noi	abbiamo	We have
Voi	avete	You (plural) have
Loro	hanno	They have

3. Fare (to do/make)

Verb Fare (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	faccio	I do/make
Tu	fai	You do/make
Lui/Lei	fa	He/She does/makes
Noi	facciamo	We do/make
Voi	fate	You (plural) do/make
Loro	fanno	They do/make

4. Andare (to go)

Verb Andare (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	vado	I go
Tu	vai	You go
Lui/Lei	va	He/She goes
Noi	andiamo	We go
Voi	andate	You (plural) go
Loro	vanno	They go

5. Dare (to give)

Verb Dare (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	do	I give
Tu	dai	You give
Lui/Lei	da	He/She gives
Noi	diamo	We give
Voi	date	You (plural) give
Loro	danno	They give

6. Stare (to stay/to be)

Verb Stare (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	sto	I stay
Tu	stai	You stay
Lui/Lei	sta	He/She stays
Noi	stiamo	We stay
Voi	state	You (plural) stay
Loro	stanno	They stay

7. Sapere (to know)

Verb Sapere (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	so	I know
Tu	sai	You know
Lui/Lei	sa	He/She knows
Noi	sappiamo	We know
Voi	sapete	You (plural) know
Loro	sanno	They know

8. Tenere (to hold)

Verb Tenere (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	tengo	I hold
Tu	tieni	You hold
Lui/Lei	tiene	He/She holds
Noi	teniamo	We hold
Voi	tenete	You (plural) hold
Loro	tengono	They hold

9. Prendere (to take)

Verb Prendere (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	prendo	I take
Tu	prendi	You take
Lui/Lei	prende	He/She takes
Noi	prendiamo	We take
Voi	prendete	You (plural) take
Loro	prendono	They take

10. Dare (to give)

Verb Dare (Present tense)
Subject	Verb	English meaning
Io	do	I give
Tu	dai	You give
Lui/Lei	dà	He/She gives
Noi	diamo	We give
Voi	date	You (plural) give
Loro	danno	They give

Phew!

With these ten irregular verbs memorised you'll be pretty much set! Of course you're sure to encounter new irregular verbs all the time, but these are the most commonly used!

Buona fortuna! (Good luck!)