Ragionare

Ragionare is an Italian verb meaning to reason, to think logically, or to deliberate about a matter. It can also mean to discuss or argue a topic in a reasoned, structured way. The term stems from ragione (reason) and is related to the Latin ratio, rationis. As a standard Italian verb, ragionare is a regular -are verb.

Usage and nuance: Ragionare emphasizes logical thinking, analysis, and careful consideration of evidence or arguments. It is commonly used in formal or philosophical contexts as well as in everyday language when describing the act of weighing ideas or forming an argument. The verb can also take prepositions such as ragionare su qualcosa (to reason about something) or ragionare di qualcosa (to discuss or argue about something). It can be used with a person, as in ragionare con qualcuno (to reason with someone), to denote dialogue aimed at reaching understanding or agreement.

Conjugation notes: Ragionare follows the regular -are conjugation pattern. In the present indicative: io ragiono, tu ragioni, lui/lei ragiona, noi ragioniamo, voi ragionate, loro ragionano. The past participle is ragionato, used with auxiliary avere (ho ragionato). The gerund is ragionando, and forms in other tenses follow standard -are endings (e.g., ragionava, ragionammo).

Noun form and related terms: The noun ragionamento refers to the process or result of reasoning, the line of argument, or a careful train of thought. Related verbs include ragionare, discutere, and pensare, which cover broader or less formal notions of thinking.