interresse

Interesse, sometimes rendered as interesse in Italian and Portuguese, is a noun that covers both curiosity or attention and a personal or financial stake in something. The term traces to Latin interesse, literally meaning “to be between” or “to matter,” from inter- “between” and esse “to be.” In modern usage it denotes what matters to someone, what they care about, or what they stand to gain.

In Italian, interesse has two broad senses. It can denote intellectual or emotional attention, as in avere un grande interesse per la musica (to have a great interest in music). It can also mean a stake or benefit, as in interessi in una società (interests in a company). The plural interessi refers to multiple interests or stakes. Common phrases include interesse nazionale (national interest) and conflitto di interessi (conflict of interest).

In Portuguese, interesse follows a similar pattern, referring to both curiosity and advantage or stake. The plural is interesses. Examples include interesse econômico (economic interest) and interesse público (public interest). Usage spans personal, commercial, and political contexts, as in desenvolver o interesse pela ciência (to develop an interest in science).

Cross-linguistically, the concept aligns closely with the English term interest and with Spanish interés and French intérêt, though each language has its own nuances and stress patterns. In law, business, and philosophy, interesse often distinguishes between personal curiosity and a material or ethical stake in outcomes.

See also: interest, conflict of interest, national interest, economic interest.