Italian · Everyday Verbs
"to understand" in Italian: capire
capire
To understand in Italian is capire (kah-PEE-reh). Key forms: capisco (I understand), capisci (you understand), capisce (he/she understands). Ho capito means I got it.
In class
Capisco la regola, ma non l'eccezione.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce capire
Say it
kah-PEE-reh
/kaˈpi.re/
kah-PEE-reh, stress on PEE. Capisco is kah-PEES-koh.
"to understand" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| capire | to understand The infinitive. | The infinitive. |
| capisco / capisci / capisce | I understand / you understand / he-she understands Present singular. | Present singular. |
| ho capito | I understood / got it Quick confirmation. | Quick confirmation. |
| non capisco | I don't understand Classroom essential. | Classroom essential. |
How to use capire in real life
- 1In class
Capisco la regola, ma non l'eccezione.
I understand the rule, but not the exception.
Capisco.
- 2Checking in
Capisci quello che intendo?
Do you understand what I mean?
Capisci.
- 3After directions
Ho capito: seconda a destra.
Got it: second on the right.
Ho capito.
Mistakes English speakers make with capire
Incorrect: Io capire bene.
Correct: Capisco bene.
Conjugate: io capisco.
Incorrect: Capisco i capelli. (wrong word)
Correct: Capisco la frase.
Capisco is from capire, not related to capelli (hair).
Good to know
Capisci? and hai capito? pepper Italian conversation as check-ins. Learners hear non ho capito constantly in shops when accents clash—perfectly normal, not rude.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Confirming museum instructions
ChatPal
Capisci la mappa del museo?
Do you understand the museum map?
You
Capisco il piano terra, non il secondo.
I understand the ground floor, not the second.
ChatPal
Ok. Se non capisci, chiediamo alla cassa.
Ok. If you don't understand, we'll ask at the desk.
You
Ho capito. Andiamo piano e rileggiamo i cartelli.
Got it. We'll go slowly and reread the signs.
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 understand" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to understand" in Italian
How do I say I understand?
Capisco. Or ho capito for I got it.
How do I say I don't understand?
Non capisco.
Is capire irregular?
In the present, -isco forms: capisco, capisci, capisce.
Does capisci? sound rude?
Usually fine among friends; soften tone with strangers.
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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