desiderare

Desiderare is an Italian verb meaning to desire, to wish for, or to long for. It is a regular verb of the first conjugation (-are) and is transitive, typically taking a direct object, as in Desidero una tazza di caffè. It can also express the intention to perform an action, commonly with an infinitive or in a subordinate clause introduced by che, especially in present or future contexts: Desidero che tu venga.

Etymology and nuance: desiderare is inherited from Latin desiderare, from desiderium “longing, desire.” The noun desiderio shares the same root. In Italian, desiderare carries a formal or literary nuance compared with more everyday verbs like volere, and it is often used to express a sincere wish or a strongly felt desire, including future hopes.

Conjugation and grammar: as a regular -are verb, its principal forms are: present io desidero, tu desideri, lui/lei desidera, noi desideriamo, voi desiderate, loro desiderano. Imperfect: desideravo, desideravi, desiderava, desideravamo, desideravate, desideravano. Future: desidererò, desidererai, desidererà, desidereremo, desidererete, desidereranno. The past participle is desiderato, used with auxiliary avere in compound tenses. Gerund: desiderando. Subjunctive present: desideri, desideri, desideri, desideriamo, desideriate, desiderino. Imperfect subjunctive: desiderassi, desiderassi, desiderasse, desiderassimo, desideraste, desiderassero. Desiderare can also govern a clause with che in the present or imperfect subjunctive to express desired outcomes or wishes for others, as in Desidero che tu sia felice.

See also: desiderio.