custodire

Custodire is an Italian transitive verb meaning to guard, keep safe, or preserve something in safe keeping, and by extension to tend to or take care of it. It is used for tangible objects such as chiavi (keys), documenti (documents), or opere d’arte, and for intangible matters like segreti (secrets), ricordi (memories), or reputazione. Examples include custodire le chiavi della casa, custodire segreti, or custodire una memoria storica. In legal and administrative language it can denote safekeeping or custodianship, as in custodire un bene or essere custoditi in un deposito.

Etymology: custodire derives from Latin custodia, meaning guarding or custody, from custus guardian. The verb shares its root with related terms such as custode and custodia, all centered on the idea of guarding and safeguarding.

Usage and nuances: The verb is transitive and typically pairs with a direct object. It emphasizes ongoing responsibility and safekeeping over time, rather than mere protection. It can imply careful preservation or archival care. In English, custodire is closest to “to guard,” “to keep,” or “to preserve.” It can contrast with other verbs like proteggere or conservare, where custodire stresses sustained keeping of objects or information.

Conjugation: Custodire is a regular -ire verb with the characteristic present tense forms: io custodisco, tu custodisci, lui custodisce, noi custodiamo, voi custodite, loro custodiscono. Passato prossimo: ho custodito, hai custodito, ha custodito, abbiamo custodito, avete custodito, hanno custodito. Imperfetto: custodivo, custodivi, custodiva, custodivamo, custodivate, custodivano. Futuro semplice: custodirò, custodirai, custodirà, custodiremo, custodirete, custodiranno. The past participle is custodito.

See also: custodia, custode, custodia cautelare.