Interessare

Interessare is an Italian verb meaning to interest or to concern. It is used transitively with the thing that arouses interest as the subject and the person affected as the indirect object. In everyday speech the most common form is with the first person singular pronoun: “Mi interessa” (it interests me). Other subjects and pronouns follow the same pattern: “Ti interessa?”, “Ci interessa.” The verb can also be used reflexively as interessarsi, meaning to take an interest in something or to become interested, typically followed by a or, less commonly, di: “Mi sono interessato all’arte” or “Mi sono interessato a quel libro.”

Etymology and meaning

Interesse comes from Late Latin interesse, from inter- “between” or “among” and esse “to be,” originally conveying the sense of being between things or of importance. Over time it acquired the sense of mattering or affecting someone, which is reflected in the modern Italian verb and in the noun interesse meaning interest or concern.

Conjugation and usage notes

Interessare is a regular -are verb. Present indicative: io interessO, tu interessI, lui/lei interessa, noi interessiamo, voi interessate, loro interessano. Past participle: interessato. Gerund: interessando. Infinitive: interessare. The passive or perfect tense often uses avere: “Questo film mi ha interessato.” Reflexive form: “io mi interessO,” “tu ti interessi,” “lui si interessa,” “noi ci interessiamo,” “voi vi interessate,” “loro si interessano.”

Synonyms and related verbs include riguardare, importare, and concern with nuances diverging by subject matter and emphasis.