assistere

Assistere is an Italian verb with two main senses: it can mean to provide help or support to someone (transitive), and it can mean to be present at or attend a person or event (intransitive use with the preposition a). For example, si può assistere una persona malata (to assist a sick person) or assistere a una conferenza (to attend a conference) or assistere allo spettacolo (to attend the show). The choice of construction depends on the sense intended.

Etymology and usage notes: The verb derives from Latin assistere, meaning to stand by or to attend. In modern Italian, assistere often emphasizes being present and witnessing an event, or actively aiding someone in need. The noun form is assistenza (assistance or care), and the passive adjective assistito/assistita pairs with compound tenses.

Conjugation and principal forms: Assistere is a regular -ere verb. Present tense forms are: io assisto, tu assisti, lui/lei assistere? Actually, lui/lei assiste, noi assistiamo, voi assistete, loro assistono. The passato prossimo is formed with avere + assistito (masc.) or assistita (fem.): ho assistito, hai assistito, ha assistito, abbiamo assistito, avete assistito, hanno assistito. Imperfect: assistevo, assistevi, assisteva, assistevamo, assistevate, assistevano. Future: assisterò, assisterai, assisterà, assisteremo, assisterete, assisteranno. Subjunctive present: che io assista, che tu assista, che lui assista, che noi assistiamo, che voi assistiate, che loro assistano. Imperatives: tu assista, Lei assista, noi assistiamo, voi assistete, Loro assistano; in the everyday imperative the tu form commonly appears as assista/assisti depending on the construction used.

Usage notes and examples: In everyday Italian, assistere often implies being physically present or giving practical aid. When meaning “to attend,” it is commonly followed by a or allo/alla with the article: assisto al concerto, ho assistito a una riunione. The verb is closely related to the noun assistenza, which denotes assistance or care.