menzionare

Menzionare is the Italian verb meaning to mention or to refer to something in speech or writing. It is used to indicate a person, a fact, or an object without going into detail. The related noun is menzione, which refers to the act or instance of mentioning. In usage, menzionare can convey a brief reference rather than a full discussion.

Menzionare is a regular -are verb. Its present indicative forms are: io menziono, tu menzioni, lui/lei menziona, noi menzioniamo, voi menzionate, loro menzionano. The passato prossimo is formed with avere: ho menzionato, hai menzionato, ha menzionato, abbiamo menzionato, avete menzionato, hanno menzionato. Other common forms include the imperfect menzionavo, menzionavi, menzionava, e la participazione presente menzionando, and the participle passato menzionato. The noun corresponding to the action is la menzione; an adjective form is menzionabile, meaning “mentionable.”

Usage and nuance: menzionare requires a direct object, typically the thing or person being referred to, as in “ha menzionato il nome dell’azienda” or “nel articolo si menziona l’evento.” It is often preferred when the reference is brief or incidental, as opposed to citare (to quote) or discutere (to discuss in detail). The verb appears in formal and informal contexts, including written reports, conversations, and media.

Etymology: the word derives from Latin roots related to the notion of mentioning. Its development followed the common Romance-language pattern, with cognates in French (mentionner), Spanish (mencionar), and other languages, all preserving the core sense of making a reference.

See also: citare, riferire, accennare, menzione, citazione.