Riponere

Riponere is an Italian transitive verb meaning to place back in its place, to store or file away, or to set aside. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate placing something in someone or something, such as trust or hope.

The verb derives from Latin reponere, formed from re- meaning back and ponere meaning to place. In Italian, riponere has been part of the language since the medieval period and retains both a literal sense and a broad range of figurative uses.

Rhythms and usage: Riponere takes a direct object for the item being put back, as in riponi le chiavi (you put the keys back). It can also be followed by a location or container, such as nel cassetto or nello scaffale, to indicate where the item is stored. Metaphorical uses include riporre fiducia (to place trust) and riporre speranza (to place hope). The verb is regular in most tenses but has distinctive present-tense forms: io ripongo, tu riponi, lui/lei ripone, noi riponiamo, voi riponete, loro ripongono. The past participle is riposto, forming compound tenses with avere, e.g., ho riposto i documenti.

Examples: Ho riposto le chiavi sul tavolo. Riponi quel libro nello scaffale. Non riporre false speranze. Riporremo i documenti nell’archivio domani.

See also: related verbs such as porre and reponere (as literary or historical references), and common Italian expressions that use riponere to convey both physical placement and figurative trust or expectation.