Pretendere

Pretendere is an Italian verb with several closely related meanings centered on asserting claims, demanding rights, or asserting something as true. The primary senses include to claim or demand something from someone, and to claim to do or be something (often with a nuance of insistence). It can also appear in the sense of “to claim that” or “to profess,” especially when combined with di or che.

Etymology and usage notes: Pretendere derives from Latin praetendere, literally “to hold forth before.” In modern Italian it is commonly used in formal or official contexts as well as in everyday speech. It is not the standard verb for the English “to pretend” in the sense of feigning; for feigning, Italian typically uses fingere or simulare. Pretendere conveys an expectation or assertion rather than mere feigning.

Constructions and examples: The verb can take different complements depending on meaning. With an object: pretendere qualcosa da qualcuno means to claim or demand something from someone. With di: pretendere di fare qualcosa means to claim to do something or to pretend to do something in the sense of asserting capability. With che + congiuntivo: pretendo che qualcuno faccia qualcosa expresses a demand that someone do something. Examples: “Il datore di lavoro pretende un certificato entro domani.” “Non pretendo di sapere tutto.” “Pretendere un risarcimento.” “Pretendere che venga subito.” The tone is often formal or authoritative, especially in legal, administrative, or professional contexts.

See also: fingere, pretendere in sense of claiming, esigere, diritto.