chiamavo

Chiamavo is the first-person singular imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb chiamare, meaning to call or to name. In English it corresponds to I was calling or I used to call, depending on the context. The imperfect describes past actions that were ongoing, habitual, or that provided background in a narrative.

Chiamare belongs to the first conjugation (-are). Its etymology traces to Latin clamāre, to cry out or call, a development that gave rise to the modern Italian verb meaning both “to call on the phone” and “to name.”

Usage and examples. The imperfect is used to describe repeated past actions or states, or to set the scene in storytelling. Examples: “Ogni giorno, io chiamavo i miei genitori alle otto.” or “Quando avevo tempo, io chiamavo i miei amici per parlare.” It contrasts with the passato prossimo, which would express a completed action: “Ho chiamato.” The choice between imperfect and perfect aspects often depends on whether the action is viewed as ongoing/habitual or as a single completed event.

Form and pronunciation. As an -are verb, the imperfect endings are -avo, -avi, -ava, -avamo, -avate, -avano; thus the form for the first person singular is "chiamavo." The digraph “ch” before i is pronounced with a hard k sound, as in chi-.

See also. Related forms include io chiamavo, tu chiamavi, lui/lei chiamava, noi chiamavamo, voi chiamavate, loro chiamavano, and the related verbs chiamare (to call/name) and chiamato (called).