chiamavate

Chiamavate is the second-person plural imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb chiamare, meaning “to call.” In English, it translates most directly as “you (plural) were calling” or “you (plural) used to call.”

Grammatical note: It is formed by taking the infinitive chiamare and adding the imperfect endings for -are verbs: -vo, -vi, -va, -vamo, -vate, -vano. Therefore the full imperfect conjugation is: io chiamavo, tu chiamavi, lui/lei chiamava, noi chiamavamo, voi chiamavate, loro chiamavano.

Usage: Chiamavate expresses actions in the past that were ongoing, habitual, or background in nature, rather than completed events. It is commonly used in storytelling, descriptions, or indirect speech to set a scene or indicate repeated past actions. It contrasts with the passato prossimo, which would denote a completed past action.

Example: Voi chiamavate spesso per chiedere notizie. Translation: You all used to call often to ask for news.

Notes: As a regular -are verb form, chiamavate follows the standard imperfect pattern shared by many Italian verbs. It is one of several forms used to indicate past tense in Italian, with the choice between imperfect and passato prossimo depending on aspect and context.