Italian grammar · Next step · Lesson 9
Italian Passato Prossimo: Avere or Essere + Past Participle
Form the Italian passato prossimo, choose an auxiliary, and learn when the past participle agrees with the subject.
Updated October 10, 2026 · Free lesson and exercises
Combine an auxiliary and participle
The passato prossimo describes many completed past events. Build it with a present form of avere or essere and a past participle. Regular participles commonly end in -ato, -uto, or -ito: parlato, ricevuto, dormito. Many frequent verbs have irregular participles, such as fatto and preso.
Learn the auxiliary with each verb
Many verbs take avere: ho mangiato. Some intransitive verbs take essere: sono arrivato. Reflexive verbs also use essere: mi sono svegliato. Movement alone is not a sufficient rule; camminare commonly takes avere even though it describes movement.
Match the participle where required
With essere, the participle agrees with the subject: arrivato, arrivata, arrivati, arrivate. With avere, the participle is normally unchanged in simple examples like ho mangiato la pizza. Preceding direct-object pronouns introduce further agreement rules, which should be studied separately.
Build a completed event
| Infinitive | Past participle | Example |
|---|---|---|
| mangiare | mangiato | ho mangiato |
| dormire | dormito | ho dormito |
| fare | fatto | ho fatto |
| prendere | preso | ho preso |
| andare | andato | sono andato / andata |
| arrivare | arrivato | siamo arrivati / arrivate |
The table gives common forms. A verb’s auxiliary can depend on its construction and meaning.
See the pattern in a sentence
Ho mangiato una pizza.
I ate a pizza.
Mangiare takes avere in this sentence.
Maria è arrivata ieri.
Maria arrived yesterday.
Arrivata agrees with Maria.
Abbiamo camminato molto.
We walked a lot.
Camminare takes avere here despite describing movement.
Common mistakes to notice
To fix: Maria ha arrivato.
Use: Maria è arrivata.
Arrivare takes essere; the participle is feminine singular for Maria.
To fix: Noi siamo andato.
Use: Noi siamo andati / andate.
Use plural agreement; choose andate for an all-female group.
Try it yourself
Say or write an answer before opening the explanation.
1. Say I ate: use mangiare.
Show answer and explanation
Ho mangiato.
Use avere plus mangiato.
2. Complete for Anna: Anna è ___ (andare).
Show answer and explanation
Anna è andata.
The essere participle is feminine singular.
3. Complete: noi ___ preso il treno.
Show answer and explanation
Noi abbiamo preso il treno.
Prendere uses avere and the irregular participle preso.
Use it in a conversation
Tell a partner what you ate, where you went, and when you arrived yesterday. Include one verb with avere and one with essere.
Read the examples aloud, then try your own sentences. In ChatPal, practice a real scenario and get personalized feedback on what you say.
Practice Italian out loudFAQ
Questions about this pattern
Is passato prossimo only for the recent past?
No. It can describe completed events from further back too. Use varies by region, register, and how the speaker presents the event.
Do all movement verbs take essere?
No. Camminare and viaggiare commonly take avere. Learn the auxiliary with the verb and its construction.
Do participles always agree?
With essere they agree with the subject in the examples here. With avere they are usually unchanged in simple sentences, but preceding direct-object pronouns can trigger agreement.
Keep building your sentences
- Avere Conjugation: Italian To Have in the Present
- Italian Reflexive Verbs: Mi, Ti, Si and Everyday Routines
Words to practice with
References and corrections
Original explanations and practice examples for beginners. References help check the grammar; this page covers the patterns shown rather than every exception.