Camminavano

Camminavano is the third-person plural imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb camminare, meaning to walk. The form translates to “they were walking” or “they used to walk” and is used to describe past actions that were ongoing, habitual, or not completed at a reference time.

Conjugation: camminare is a regular -are verb. In the imperfect indicative, the endings for all persons are -avo, -avi, -ava, -avamo, -avate, -avano. Therefore: io camminavo, tu camminavi, lui/lei camminava, noi camminavamo, voi camminavate, loro camminavano.

Usage: The imperfect camminavano is common in narrative and descriptive contexts. It contrasts with the passato prossimo camminarono, which would indicate a completed action in the past. It can appear with time markers and conjunctions, e.g., “mentre camminavano,” “camminavano ogni giorno.”

Etymology and related terms: The verb camminare derives from cammino (path, journey) and reflects movement on foot. Related expressions include passeggiare (to stroll) and andare a piedi (to go on foot).

Examples: “Mentre camminavano lungo la spiaggia, il sole stava tramontando.” “Quando erano ragazzi, camminavano per ore per arrivare al paese.”