dichiarare

Dichiarare is an Italian verb meaning to declare, state, or reveal something, often in a formal or public context. It is transitive and commonly used in legal, administrative, journalistic, and everyday language. The verb can introduce a direct statement or reported speech, as in ha dichiarato che era presente, or appear with di + infinito, such as dichiarare di non essere colpevole. The reflexive form dichiararsi means to declare oneself or to profess a certain status or belief.

Etymology and related forms: the verb comes from Latin declarare, via Old French declarer, with the Italian spelling preserving the chi to convey a hard k sound. The related noun dichiarazione means declaration, while the adjective dichiarato means declared. A common compound or related form is dichiarare qualcosa a qualcuno (to declare something to someone).

Grammatical notes: dichiara­re is a regular -are verb. In its present tense, it follows the standard pattern of Italian -are verbs, with person-centered endings. The past tense is formed with avere + dichiarato (e.g., ho dichiarato). The gerund is dichiarando, and the infinitive is dichiarare. The verb also has a reflexive version, dichiararsi, used to express declaring oneself, with typical reflexive pronouns: mi dichiaro, ti dichiari, si dichiara, ci dichiariamo, vi dichiarate, si dichiarano.

Common usage: dichiaria­re is often employed in official statements, press releases, and courtroom or governmental contexts, but it also appears in everyday speech when someone asserts a fact or belief. In addition to its literal sense, it underpins phrases like dichiarare guerra (to declare war) or dichiarare la propria innocenza (to declare one’s innocence).

See also: dichiarazione, dichiarato, dichiararsi.