Intendere and Intendersi: The Solutions Posted by Geoff on Feb 26, 2016 in Grammar
Here are the solutions to the exercises in our two previous blogs: Using The Italian Verb Intendere and Ci Siamo Intesi?
1. Using The Italian Verb Intendere:
Have you ever gone beyond the kiss? Of course! Sometimes I’ve even tried a Ferrero Rocher (Bacio Perugina and Ferrero Rocher are both famous Italian chocolates)
You were asked to complete the following sentences referring to the examples given (n.b. some had two possible solutions). Here are the answers:
1. Lucia ha frainteso/inteso male quello che ha detto Marco = Lucia misunderstood what Marco said
2. cosa intendi fare questa fine settimana? = what do you intend to do this weekend?
3. hai intenzione di finire quel lavoro entro oggi? = do you mean to finish that job by today?
4. vi ho detto di lasciarmi in pace, mi avete inteso? = I told you to leave me in peace, have you understood me?
5. non voglio che Franco fraintenda/intenda male le mie intenzioni = I don’t want Franco to misunderstand my intentions
N.B. Intendere is followed by the infinitive, hence the answer to number 2 is cosa intendi fare. Avere intenzione is followed by the preposition di, hence the answer to number 3 is hai intenzione di finire …
In number 5 the missing verb ‘fraintenda/intenda male’ is conjugated in the present subjunctive because it follows the verb ‘voglio’ (I want). For more information see this post on the use of the Congiuntivo Presente
You were asked to translate the following sentences into Italian using the verb intendere
1. did you understand what the doctor said? = Hai inteso ciò che/quello che ha detto il dottore?
2. I don’t understand what you meant to say = Non capisco cosa intendevi dire
3. what does Eugenia intend to do about her cat? = cosa intende (‘ha intenzione di’) fare Eugenia riguardo al suo gatto?
4. I didn’t mean to upset her = Non intendevo turbarla
5. I haven’t understood the meaning of this blog = Non ho inteso il significato di questo blog (speriamo di no! = let’s hope not!)
2. Ci Siamo Intesi?
Tonight I’m sleeping with Mummy, or I’ll start screaming. ARE WE CLEAR?
Now here are the answers to the exercise on the reflexive verb intendersi
1. pensi che Lucia si intenda/sia un’intenditrice di orchidee? = Do you think Lucia is knowledgeable about orchids?
2. chi di voi si intende di motori? = who amongst you is knowledgeable about engines?
3. finalmente si sono intesi sulla modalità di pagamento = finally they reached an agreement on the payment mode
4. Maria è un’intenditrice/si intende di piante grasse = Maria is an expert on succulent plants
5. Mario e Bruno hanno agito d’intesa = Mario and Bruno acted in agreement
You were asked to translate the following sentences into Italian using the reflexive verb intendersi:
1. do you know anything about sewing machines? = tu ti intendi di macchine da cucire?
2. do you know anybody who knows about printers? = conosci qualcuno che si intenda di stampanti?
3. it wasn’t the best result, let’s be clear! = non è stato il miglior risultato, intendiamoci!
4. are we clear about the objective of this exercise? = ci siamo intesi sull’obbiettivo di questo esercizio?
5. I’m sorry, I really don’t know anything about it = mi dispiace, ma non me ne intendo proprio
How did you get on with the exercises, do you need any further clarification? Please let us know.
A presto ….
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Comments:
JillT Payne:
I am not sure when you would use intendere and when you would use capire or conoscere when trying to say “do you understand”. I see that the definition of the word “to intend” is much broader than what we use in English. Can you clarify that a little. Maybe it is just because I learned “capire” early on and got used to using it! Grazie
Serena:
@JillT Payne Salve Jill! To express the verb ‘to understand’, capire is the most commonly used verb, so don’t worry, keep using capire. As for conoscere, intendere does not mean conoscere. The reflexive form ‘intendersi di’ means ‘to be knowledgeable about’, or ‘to be an expert on something’.
Saluti da Serena
paolo minotto:
2. do you know anybody who knows about printers? = conosci qualcuno che si intenda di stampanti?
Questo è uno che ho sbagliato. Perché il congiuntivo è usato qui?
Serena:
@paolo minotto Salve Paolo! Bravo!
2. do you know anybody who knows about printers? = conosci qualcuno che si intenda di stampanti?
Qui si usa il congiuntivo perché è una domanda indiretta. Invece nella frase 2 della prima parte dell’esercizio, 2. chi di voi si intende di motori? = who amongst you is knowledgeable about engines?, qui abbiamo il presente indicativo perché è una domanda diretta. Spero di essere stata chiara.
Saluti da Serena
Judy green:
Our little ‘ Italian group’ – 4 of us who have been learning Italian together for a few years absolutely love your blog! The mixture of culture, grammar, humour and general musings, and the fact that you provide an English translation which we can refer to if need be ( we often need!!). Keep it going!
Serena:
@Judy green Grazie Judy e benvenuta nel nostro blog insieme al tu piccolo Italian Group.
Saluti da Serena e Geoff
Karen:
Si puo’ dire anche chi di voi vi intendete di motore?
Serena:
@Karen No! 😉
Salve Karen, we can’t say “chi di voi vi intendete di motore” because the subject (the person doing the action) of the verb intendersi is ‘chi’ (who) and not voi (you), so we must use the third person singular. I can remove ‘di voi’ and say: “chi si intende di motori?” (who is knowledgeable about engines?). The meaning remains the same.
On the other hand, if I say: “Voi vi intendete di motori?” (Are you two knowledgeable about engines?). In this case I imply that both people are knowledgeable about engines, not just one.
Saluti da Serena