Accompagnare

Accompagnare is a transitive Italian verb meaning to accompany or to go with someone or something. It covers physical escort as well as broader senses in which one thing goes with another, such as events, actions, or pairings. The term is used in social, culinary, and musical contexts to express that something accompanies or complements something else.

In social usage, accompagnare describes escorting a person to a place: “Accompagno Marco al supermercato.” The reflexive form accompagnarsi expresses keeping company or going along with someone: “Si accompagnano a scuola ogni mattina.”

In culinary language, accompagnare denotes pairing or matching, especially with wine or side dishes. Examples include “Questo piatto si accompagna bene con un vino bianco” or “Questo vino accompagna bene il pesce.” The verb can also indicate accompanying a dish with a side or sauce: “La salsa accompagna la carne.”

In music, accompagnare refers to providing musical accompaniment to a melody or a singer. Related terms include the noun accompagnamento (the accompanying part) and accompagnatore or accompagnatrice (the accompanist).

Grammar and usage notes: accompagnare is a regular -are verb. The past participle is accompagnato and compound tenses use avere. Common constructions include accompagnare qualcuno (to accompany someone) and accompagnare un piatto con un vino (to accompany a dish with a wine).

See also: accompagnatore, accompagnamento, accompagnarsi.