chiamato

Chiamato is the Italian past participle of the verb chiamare, meaning to call or to name. It is used to form compound tenses with avere (for example, ho chiamato) and to form passive or reflexive constructions with essere (for example, è stato chiamato). As an adjective, chiamato can mean “named” or “designated,” and it agrees with the noun it modifies in gender and number.

Etymology and forms: chiamato derives from the Latin clamāre, through the development of Italian -are verbs. The participle has the following inflected forms: chiamato (masculine singular), chiamata (feminine singular), chiamati (masculine plural), and chiamate (feminine plural).

Usage notes: With avere, the participle usually does not change for gender or number, unless a preceding direct object shortens the verb agreement, in which case it may reflect the object. With essere, chiamato forms a passive or intransitive sense, as in è stato chiamato or è stato chiamato da qualcuno. In adjectives, it appears in phrases such as “il ragazzo chiamato Marco” to mean “the boy named Marco.” It can also appear in idiomatic expressions and reported speech constructions.

Examples:

- Ho chiamato mia sorella questa mattina. (I called my sister this morning.)

- Il ragazzo chiamato Marco è arrivato. (The boy named Marco has arrived.)

- È stato chiamato in tribunale. (He was called to court.)

See also: chiamare, chiamata. Chiamato is a versatile participle used for naming, labeling, and forming tenses, and it functions both as a verbal form and as an adjective in Italian.