impostare

Impostare is an Italian transitive verb meaning to set, configure, arrange, or establish something by placing or adjusting its components. It covers concrete actions such as configuring a device, setting a password, or calibrating a sensor, as well as more abstract ones like framing a discussion, outlining a plan, or establishing a timetable. In everyday language, impostare is common in technical contexts (computers, electronics, software) but also used in planning and problem-setting.

Conjugation and usage notes: Impostare is a regular -are verb. In the present indicative: io imposto, tu imposti, lui/lei imposta, noi impostiamo, voi impostate, loro impostano. Imperfect: io impostavo, tu impostavi, lui impostava, noi impostavamo, voi impostavate, loro impostavano. The verb forms with compound tenses use avere: ho impostato, hai impostato, ha impostato, abbiamo impostato, avete impostato, hanno impostato. The past historic is impostai, impostasti, impostò, impostammo, impostaste, impostarono, but it is rarely used outside literary contexts. The present participle is impostando.

Common usages and collocations: With devices and software, typical phrases include impostare una password, impostare la lingua, impostare l’orario, impostare una risoluzione, o impostare parametri. In planning or discourse, it can mean to frame or pose a question or issue, as in impostare una questione o impostare una strategia.

Synonyms and related terms: configurare, regolare, parametrare, predisporre. Preimpostare is used to indicate presetting. Etymology: the word combines a prefixed im- with a root related to placing or fixing, reflecting its core sense of setting or positioning.