Cultivare

Cultivare is an Italian verb that denotes the act of cultivating or developing. In its most literal sense, it refers to tending land and crops or caring for plants so they grow. In broader uses, it also means to nurture or develop non-physical things, such as skills, relationships, or ideas. The sense of cultivation thus covers both concrete practices in farming and more abstract processes of growth and refinement.

Etymology and related terms: The verb derives from the Latin cultivare, linked to cultura and colere, which carry the notions of tending, tilling, and honoring the land. In Italian, the infinitive ends in -are, and cultivare appears in writing and speech as a standard, formal expression of cultivation. The noun cultura (culture, cultivation) shares the same roots, reflecting the cross-cutting idea of fostering growth through care and effort.

Usage and nuance: In agricultural and horticultural contexts, cultivare can appear in formal or literary prose, while coltivare is more common in everyday speech for farming tasks. Figuratively, the verb is used to express ongoing effort to develop talents, interests, relationships, or a mindful approach to knowledge and culture. The emphasis is on sustained cultivation rather than quick, one-off results.

See also: Cultivation, cultura, agricoltura, orticoltura. Related verbs include coltivare and sviluppare, which convey similar ideas of growth and development in different registers.