camminare

Camminare is an Italian verb meaning to walk, to move on foot. It describes the act of traveling by foot and can be used in literal senses, such as camminare per la strada, or in figurative ones, such as camminare verso una meta or progress towards a goal. The verb is intransitive and typically does not take a direct object. The related noun camminata refers to the act or duration of walking, while a person who walks regularly can be called a camminatore (male) or camminatrice (female).

Etymology and cognates: camminare derives from cammino, meaning path or journey, and shares cognates with other Romance languages, such as Spanish caminar and Portuguese caminhar, reflecting a common Latin heritage.

Conjugation and usage: camminare is a regular -are verb. Present indicative: io cammino, tu cammini, lui/lei cammina, noi camminiamo, voi camminate, loro camminano. Passato prossimo uses avere: ho camminato. Imperfetto: camminavo, camminavi, camminava, camminavamo, camminavate, camminavano. Future semplice: camminerò, camminerai, camminerà, cammineremo, camminerete, cammineranno. Imperative: cammina (tu), camminate (voi); negative: non camminare, non camminate.

Usage notes: camminare is often contrasted with passeggiare, which carries a nuance of a leisurely stroll. Expressions with a preposition include camminare a piedi (to walk on foot) and camminare in salita (to walk uphill). The noun camminata or the verb phrase fare una camminata is commonly used for a planned walk or hike.

See also: other motion verbs and related activities, such as andare, passeggiare, and camminare in natura (walking in nature).