galoppare

Galoppare is an Italian verb meaning to move forward at a gallop, typically referring to a horse but also used figuratively to indicate very rapid progress. It is an intransitive verb of the first conjugation (-are) and is common in equestrian language as well as in general narrative or reportage.

Etymology and related terms: galoppare derives from the noun galoppo, which designates the gait of a horse in full gallop. The noun and the verb share their root with the French galop, from which Italian borrowed the concept and terminology. Related forms include galoppata, meaning a gallop or sprint, and galoppatore, a rider or horse capable of galloping.

Usage and nuance: in everyday Italian, galoppare describes a horse’s movement, as in Il cavallo galoppa lungo la pista. It can also be used figuratively to describe rapid or accelerated progress, for example La crescita dell’azienda è galoppata negli ultimi mesi. In literary or journalistic contexts, the verb conveys speed and momentum rather than a mere walk or trot.

Conjugation overview: galoppare follows the regular -are pattern.

- Present: io galoppo, tu galoppì, lui/lei galoppa, noi galoppimo, voi galoppate, loro galoppano.

- Imperfect: io galoppavo, tu galoppavi, lui/lei galoppava, noi galoppavamo, voi galoppavate, loro galoppavano.

- Passato prossimo: ho galoppato, hai galoppato, ha galoppato, abbiamo galoppato, avete galoppato, hanno galoppato.

- Future semplice: galopperò, galopperai, galopperà, galopperemo, galopperete, galoppneranno.

- Gerundio: galoppando; participio passato: galoppato.

See also: galoppo (gait), galoppata (a gallop or sprint), equestrian terminology.