Combinare

Combinare is an Italian verb meaning to bring together, join, or mix elements; it is also used in the sense of arranging or organizing plans, appointments, or events. The term is derived from Latin combinare, formed from con- “together” and a root related to binus or binum, implying two parts or elements being united.

As a transitive verb, combinare requires a direct object and is commonly used in everyday speech to describe mixing ingredients (combinare ingredienti), organizing meetings or dates (combinare un incontro, combinare un appuntamento), and arranging plans (combinare una serata). In colloquial use, the verb also appears in expressions that describe creating trouble or a mess, such as non combinare guai, or ho combinato un pasticcio (I’ve caused trouble or I’ve made a mess).

Grammatical notes: combinare is a regular -are verb. Its conjugation follows standard patterns in all main tenses. Present indicative forms are io combino, tu combini, lui/lei combina, noi combiniamo, voi combinate, loro combinano. The passato prossimo is formed with avere: ho combinato, hai combinato, ha combinato, abbiamo combinato, avete combinato, hanno combinato. Other common tenses include imperfect: combinavo, combinavi, combinava, combinavamo, combinavate, combinavano; and future: combinerò, combinerai, combinerà, combineremo, combinerete, combineranno. The present subjunctive appears as che io combini, che tu combini, che lui combini, che noi combiniamo, che voi combiniate, che loro combinino.

Common usage also yields idiomatic phrases such as “combinare una serata” (to arrange an evening) and “che cosa hai combinato?” (what have you done?/what trouble have you caused?). As with many Italian verbs, context determines whether combinare refers to mixing literal substances, coordinating plans, or figuratively causing consequences.