Allontanano

Allontanano is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Italian verb allontanare. The verb means to distance, to move away, to drive away, or to separate someone or something from another object or place. It is transitive and used with a direct object, and it is common to see phrases such as allontanare qualcuno da qualcosa (to remove someone from something) or allontanare qualcosa da un luogo.

The reflexive form allontanarsi means to move away oneself, as in si allontanano, they move away from each other or from a place, depending on context.

Usage notes: allontanano can describe physical distancing, for example La polizia ha allontanato i manifestanti dalla zona. It can also express figurative distancing, such as measures or actions that distance people, ideas, or problems: Le nuove norme allontanano i rischi, allontanare i problemi.

Etymology: the verb allontanare derives from lontano (far) with the prefix a-, forming a verb meaning to make distant or to cause to be far away.

Conjugation overview: allontanano is the 3rd-person plural present indicative. Related forms include allontano (I distance), allontani (you distance), allontana (he/she distances), allontaniamo (we distance), allontanate (you all distance). Other tenses and the subjunctive are formed regularly.

See also: allontanare, allontanarsi, lontano.