attaccare

Attaccare is a versatile Italian verb with several core meanings. In its literal, transitive use it means to attach or fasten something to another object: attaccare un poster al muro; attaccare una etichetta a un prodotto. It can also mean to affix or fix parts together, to join two pieces, or to attach a file or document in computing contexts, though in everyday language allegare is often preferred.

In a figurative sense, attaccare means to launch an attack, either physically (attaccare il nemico) or verbally or rhetorically (attaccare qualcuno con domande). It can also indicate the act of beginning an action, usually followed by a or by an infinitive: attaccare a fare qualcosa, attaccare a parlare.

An idiomatic use is attaccare bottone, meaning to start a conversation with someone, especially in social or romantic contexts.

The reflexive form attaccarsi expresses clinging or adhering to something, either literally (si è attaccato al muro) or figuratively (si è attaccato al passato).