Versare

Versare is an Italian verb meaning to pour or spill, and also to transfer liquid from one container to another. It is used for liquids such as water, wine, or oil, but can also extend to other fluids. In figurative use, versare can denote shedding or dispensing something, as in tears or money.

Etymology and cognates: The verb derives from Latin vertere via Old Italian and the shared Romance heritage. It is cognate with Spanish verter, French verser, and Portuguese verter, all of which carry the core sense “to pour.”

Grammar: Versare is a regular -are verb. Present indicative forms are io verso, tu versi, lui/lei versa, noi versiamo, voi versate, loro versano. The past participle is versato, used with avere in compound tenses, e.g., Ho versato del vino nel bicchiere. The reflexive form versarsi expresses performing the action for oneself, as in Mi sono versato un bicchiere d’acqua.

Usage notes: Versare typically takes a direct object representing the liquid and often uses in or onto to indicate destination, e.g., versare in una tazza, versare sul tavolo. In financial contexts, versare means to pay or deposit funds, as in versare una somma sul conto. Metaphorical uses include versare lacrime (to shed tears) and versare sangue (to spill blood).

See also: Related Romance forms in other languages, such as Spanish verter, French verser, and Portuguese verter, illustrate the common semantic core of pouring or transferring liquid.