combattere

Combattere is an Italian verb meaning to fight or engage in combat. It can refer to physical fighting, such as soldiers or athletes in a match, as well as metaphorical struggles, such as fighting a disease or defending an idea. The verb is transitive and is often used with contro or per, or with a direct object.

Etymology and related forms

The word derives from Latin com-battere, formed by the prefix com- plus battere (to beat), with a sense expanded to contend or oppose. It is related to other Romance forms, such as French battre. The modern Italian form was established in the medieval period and remains productive in numerous compounds and idiomatic expressions.

Conjugation overview

Combattere belongs to the second conjugation, ending in -ere. Present: io combatto, tu combatti, lui combatte, noi combattiamo, voi combattete, loro combattono. Passato prossimo: ho combattuto, hai combattuto, ha combattuto, abbiamo combattuto, avete combattuto, hanno combattuto. Imperfect: combattevo, combattevi, combatteva, combattevamo, combattevate, combattevano. Future: combatterò, combatterai, combatterà, combatteremo, combatterete, combatteranno. Participle: combattuto; gerund: combattendo. The present subjunctive is: che io combatta, che tu combatta, che lui combatta, che noi combattiamo, che voi combattiate, che loro combattono. Imperative: combatti (tu), combattiamo (noi), combattete (voi), combattono (loro).

Usage notes

Combattere can take a direct object (combattere un nemico) or be used with prepositions such as contro or per (combattere contro le ingiustizie, combattere per una causa). It also forms common compounds and related nouns, including il combattimento (combat) and il combattente (fighter). The verb covers physical, competitive, and symbolic struggles, as in battaglie, sport, public health campaigns, and ideological fights.

Examples

Le truppe hanno combattuto per settimane. (The troops fought for weeks.) Sta combattendo una malattia. (She is fighting a disease.) Combattere per la libertà è una causa comune.

---