appassionarsi

Appassionarsi is an Italian pronominal verb meaning to become passionate about something, to develop a strong interest or enthusiasm for a subject, activity, or cause. It denotes a process of engagement and emotional investment, often implying continued involvement. The verb derives from the noun passione and shares its semantic field with related terms such as entusiasmo.

It is a regular verb of the first conjugation in -arsi and is used in its reflexive form. In the present tense the forms follow the pattern of other -arsi verbs (for example, io mi appassion o, tu ti appassion i, lui si appassiona, noi ci appassioniamo, voi vi appassionate, loro si appassionano). In compound tenses, the auxiliary essere is used: mi sono appassionato/a, ci siamo appassionati/e. The verb can take prepositions depending on meaning: appassionarsi a qualcosa or appassionarsi di qualcosa. For example, “Mi sono appassionato di fotografia” or “Mi sto appassionando al nuoto.”

Usage and nuance: appassionarsi describes turning curiosity or interest into a lasting commitment or energy toward an activity, field, or cause. It is commonly used for hobbies, studies, arts, sports, or civic initiatives, and less frequently for romantic love (where innamorarsi is typically used). Related terms include appassionante (adjective meaning captivating), passione (passion), and entusiasmarsi (to become enthusiastic). The expression conveys personal growth through engagement and sustained attention rather than mere liking.