calziamo

Calziamo is the present indicative form of the Italian verb calzare, used with the subject noi to mean “we put on shoes” or “we are putting on shoes.” It is a standard form in the conjugation of regular -are verbs and can appear in both spoken and written Italian. In many everyday contexts, speakers also use synonyms such as indossare or mettere, but calzare remains common when referring specifically to footwear.

Etymology and grammar. The verb calzare derives from Latin calceāre, which itself comes from calceus meaning “shoe.” The present indicative forms reflect the regular -are verb endings with phonetic adjustment: io calzo, tu calzi, lui/lei calza, noi calziamo, voi calzate, loro calzano. The form calziamo combines the -iamo ending for noi with a stem that alternates a z between several persons to preserve pronunciation.

Usage and examples. Calziamo le scarpe prima di uscire. When it snows, some speakers say calziamo stivali to describe putting on boots. In contemporary Italian, calzare is often preferred when emphasizing the act of putting on footwear; more general statements about wearing shoes might use indossare or mettere.

Related terms. The root calz- appears in related words such as calza (sock or stocking) and calzature (footwear). Calziamo is primarily a grammatical form, but its correct use helps clarify subject and tense in sentences about footwear.