Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to teach" in Italian: insegnare
insegnare
To teach in Italian is insegnare (een-seh-NYAH-reh). Useful forms: insegno (I teach), insegni (you teach), insegna (he/she teaches). Insegnare qualcosa a qualcuno is the pattern.
Job talk
Insegno matematica in una scuola media.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce insegnare
Say it
een-seh-NYAH-reh
/in.seɲˈɲa.re/
een-seh-NYAH-reh, stress on NYAH. Soft gn like ny.
"to teach" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| insegnare | to teach The infinitive. | The infinitive. |
| insegno / insegni / insegna | I teach / you teach / he-she teaches Present singular. | Present singular. |
| insegniamo | we teach Team teaching. | Team teaching. |
| insegnare a + person | to teach someone Insegno italiano agli studenti. | Insegno italiano agli studenti. |
How to use insegnare in real life
- 1Job talk
Insegno matematica in una scuola media.
I teach maths in a middle school.
Insegno = I teach.
- 2Asking politely
Mi insegni questa frase, per favore?
Will you teach me this sentence, please?
Insegni = you teach.
- 3About a coach
Lei insegna yoga il martedì sera.
She teaches yoga on Tuesday evenings.
Insegna = she teaches.
Mistakes English speakers make with insegnare
Incorrect: Io insegnare inglese.
Correct: Insegno inglese.
Conjugate: io insegno.
Incorrect: Insegno a italiano.
Correct: Insegno italiano. / Insegno l'italiano.
The subject taught usually has no a; a marks the learner.
Good to know
Insegnanti are respected and often underpaid in public conversation. Friends still say mi insegni? for quick informal help—teach me that word, that recipe, that route.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Swapping skills with a friend
ChatPal
Tu insegni il piano o solo studi?
Do you teach piano or only study?
You
Insegno due ore a settimana ai bambini.
I teach kids two hours a week.
ChatPal
Fantastico. Allora mi insegni tre accordi?
Fantastic. Then will you teach me three chords?
You
Certo. Io insegno piano, tu mi insegni il forno.
Sure. I teach piano, you teach me the oven.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to teach" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to teach" in Italian
How do I say I teach?
Insegno.
How do I say teach me?
Insegnami… or mi insegni…?
What is an teacher called?
Un insegnante / un'insegnante (gendered article).
Pattern with people?
Insegnare qualcosa a qualcuno.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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