chiudere

Chiudere is an Italian verb meaning to close or shut something, and it can also be used in a figurative sense to end or settle something. It is transitive and most often appears with a direct object, such as chiudere una porta (to close a door) or chiudere un libro (to close a book).

Origin and classification: chiudere derives from Latin claudere “to shut” and belongs to the second conjugation of Italian verbs ending in -ere. In the present tense the forms are chiudo, chiudi, chiude, chiudiamo, chiudete, chiudono. The past participle is chiuso, used with avere to form passato prossimo (ho chiuso).

Usage and phrases: beyond physical closure, chiudere is used for ending actions, schedules, or negotiations, e.g., chiudere una trattativa (to close a deal), chiudere i conti (to settle the accounts), or chiudere un capitolo (to close a chapter). Idioms include chiudere gli occhi (to close one’s eyes) and chiudere a chiave (to lock). Reflexive use exists as chiudersi, meaning to close oneself off or to withdraw, as in chiudersi in sé stessi or chiudersi a una discussione.

Forms and related terms: chiuso is the past participle; chiusura is the noun meaning “closing” or “closure.” The verb also has the reflexive form chiudersi. Imperative forms are chiudi (informal you), chiuda (formal you), chiudiamo, and chiudete. Chiudere is widely used in everyday language and in both physical and abstract contexts.