Intendersi

Intendersi is a pronominal Italian verb that denotes mutual understanding or agreement. It can refer to simply understanding one another in conversation or to reaching a formal agreement or terms in a negotiation. The idea ranges from everyday mutual comprehension to an explicit settlement on a point or issue. In common usage, intendersi often appears with prepositions such as su (on, regarding) or con (with), to specify the subject of the understanding.

Etymology and sense: the verb is formed from intendere (to understand, to intend) with the reflexive pronoun, giving a reciprocal or collective sense. Unlike the non-pronominal intendere (to intend), intendersi emphasizes mutual interpretation or agreement.

Grammar and usage: intendersi is a semi-auxiliary pronominal verb that uses essere as the auxiliary in compound tenses. The past participle agrees with the subject in gender and number, e.g., ci siamo intesi (we understood each other) or ci siamo intese (feminine subject). The present form can be expressed as ci intendiamo (we understand each other) in informal contexts. The imperative form Intendiamoci means “let’s be clear” or “let’s be on the same page.” Typical constructions include intendersi su qualcosa (to agree on something) and intendersi con qualcuno (to come to terms with someone).

Examples:

- Dopo la trattativa, ci siamo intesi su una formula di compromesso.

- Non siamo ancora riusciti a intenderci su chi debba presentare la proposta.

- Intendiamoci: dobbiamo definire i ruoli prima di procedere.

Note: intendersi describes reciprocal understanding, not mere unilateral intention. It is distinct from the simple verb intendere, which expresses understanding or intention in a non-reciprocal sense.