locare

Locare is an Italian verb of the first conjugation that primarily means to lease or rent out property or assets to another party. In everyday language, affittare is more common for ordinary usage, while locare tends to appear in formal, legal, or contractual contexts. The term also appears in phrases describing the act of placing or letting a property under a lease, such as a residential unit or commercial space.

Etymology and related terms: Locare derives from Latin locare, meaning to place or set in position, related to the noun locus (place). From the same root come locazione (the lease or rental arrangement), locatore (the landlord or lessor), and locatario (the tenant). The word is distinct from localizzare, which means to localize or determine a position; locare does not typically refer to digital localization.

Usage in law and commerce: In real estate and formal documents, locare governs the act of granting a lease. The resulting agreement is a contratto di locazione (lease contract) or a locazione. The wording can specify terms such as duration, rent, responsibilities for maintenance, and conditions for termination. It covers residential, commercial, and, in some jurisdictions, temporary or holiday rentals.

Common alternatives: In everyday speech, people more often use affittare (to rent from someone) or noleggiare for the rental of goods. Locare emphasizes the act of letting or leasing as a formal arrangement and is more common in professional, legal, or administrative contexts.

See also: Affitto, Locazione, Contratto di locazione, Locatore, Locatario, Noleggio.