capiamo

Capiamo is the first-person plural present indicative form of the Italian verb capire, meaning to understand. It corresponds to the pronoun-subject combination noi capiamo and is used to express that a group including the speaker understands something.

Grammatical notes: capire is an irregular -ire verb that uses the -isc- pattern in several present-tense forms (io capisco, tu capisci, lui/lei capisce, loro capiscono). In the noi and voi forms, however, the -isc- does not appear, yielding capiamo and capite. Thus, capiamo literally means “we understand.” The infinitive is capire, and the past participle is capito.

Usage: capiamo is common in everyday Italian for describing collective understanding of a situation, instruction, or explanation. Examples include: Noi capiamo la situazione ora. (We understand the situation now.) Capire è importante per collaborare efficacemente; capiamo le esigenze del cliente. (Understanding is important to work effectively; we understand the client’s needs.) The form is versatile in both formal and informal contexts and can appear in dialogue, writing, and instructional materials.

Related forms and synonyms: capire can be translated as understand, comprehend, or grasp. In more formal or precise contexts, synonyms like comprendere may be used. The verb differs from capire in nuance; comprendere can carry a broader or more abstract sense of understanding.

Etymology: capire comes from Latin capere, meaning to take, seize, or grasp, which evolved into the Italian sense of grasping information or meaning. The form capiamo is a direct inflected form rather than a separate lexical item.

Notes: capiamo should not be mistaken for a noun or a proper name. It is purely a verb form.