Assaggiare

Assaggiare is an Italian verb meaning to taste or sample something, especially a small portion, in order to evaluate its flavor, quality, or characteristics. It is widely used for food and beverages, but can also be used figuratively to test ideas or experiences. The noun derived from it, l'assaggio, denotes a small portion, a first taste, or a tasting event.

As a regular verb of the first conjugation, assaggiare is transitive and takes a direct object: assaggiare qualcosa. Present-tense forms include io assaggio, tu assaggi, lui/lei assaggia, noi assaggiamo, voi assaggiate, loro assaggiano. The passato prossimo is ho assaggiato; imperfecto assaggiavo; futuro assaggerò; condizionale assaggerei. In the subjunctive present: assaggi, assaggi, assaggi, assaggiamo, assaggiate, assaggino. The imperative forms are: tu assaggia, Lei assaggi, noi assaggiamo, voi assaggiate, loro assaggino.

Usage notes: assaggiare is common in everyday speech for tasting food and wine; in more formal or technical contexts, degustare is often preferred and implies a deliberate evaluation. The verb is frequently used with nouns such as un piatto, un vino, l’aroma, or un dolce. It can also be used figuratively, as in assaggiare un’idea o una possibilità, meaning to test or sample something before deciding. The noun l’assaggio is used for “a taste” or “a tasting,” and can describe both a single sample and a formal tasting session.