definirsi

Definirsi is an Italian reflexive verb meaning to define oneself or to identify oneself with certain characteristics, roles, or affiliations. It is used to express how a person perceives and presents their own identity.

Etimology and grammar: Definirsi derives from the verb definire (to define) plus the reflexive pronoun si. In the present indicative it appears as mi definisco, ti definisci, si definisce, ci definiamo, vi definite, si definiscono. In compound tenses, formed with essere, for example: mi sono definito/definita, ci siamo definiti/definite. The verb is typically used to articulate self-perception rather than external description.

Uso e contesto: Definirsi is employed in personal, psychological, sociological and political contexts to express one’s sense of identity. It appears in phrases such as “Mi definisco come una persona pragmatica” or “Lei si è definita come attivista per i diritti.” The concept can also denote boundary-setting or clarification of one’s values, beliefs or affiliations in relation to others or to a context.

Varianti e concetti correlati: Common variants include autodefinirsi or auto-definizione, used to emphasize self-definition as a deliberate or ongoing process. In scholarly discourse, definirsi may accompany discussions of identity formation, self-perception, and autonomy, including discussions of gender, nationality, profession, or ideological orientation.

Note: Definirsi differs from merely describing oneself; it conveys a conscious act of establishing or presenting a coherent sense of who one is, sometimes in response to social expectations or life events. See also: identità personale, autodefinizione, autodeterminazione.