intercambiare

Intercambiare is an Italian verb meaning to exchange or swap between two or more parties. It can refer to exchanging goods, information, ideas, or services. The term combines the prefix inter- meaning between with cambiare meaning to change, and is closely related to scambiare (to swap) and the noun scambio (exchange).

Usage and scope: Intercambiare is transitive and typically takes a direct object, often with a prepositional phrase indicating the other party or medium, as in intercambiare idee con un collega or intercambiare dati tra sistemi. It can also be used without a preposition: abbiamo intercambiato indirizzi. The expression underscores a bilateral or reciprocal exchange rather than a unilateral transfer.

Grammatical notes: Intercambiare is a regular -are verb. Present indicative forms include io intercambio, tu intercambi, lui/lei intercambia, noi intercambamiamo, voi intercambiate, loro intercambiano. The past participle is intercambiato, used with avere in compound tenses (ho intercambiato, hai intercambiato, ha intercambiato, abbiamo intercambiato, avete intercambiato, hanno intercambiato). Gerund is intercambiando.

Examples: Le aziende hanno intercambiato dati sensibili in modo sicuro. Durante la riunione abbiamo intercambiato opinioni su varie proposte.

See also: scambiare, barattare, scambio.