occorre

Occorre is an Italian verb that belongs to the impersonal verb occorrere, meaning to be necessary or to be required. In modern Italian, the most common use is impersonal and without a stated subject, as in expressions such as Occorre una verifica (A verification is necessary) or Occorre fare una verifica (We/one must do a verification). When referring to a specific person’s need, it is used with a pronoun: Mi occorre tempo (I need time), Ti occorre aiuto (You need help). In everyday speech, Occorre is often substituted by phrases like è necessario, serve, or ci vuole, but occorre remains prevalent in formal, written, or instructional contexts.

Etymology and usage history: The form comes from the verb occorrere, which derives from Latin occorrere, meaning to run to meet or to happen. In Italian, the sense most closely associated with modern usage is “to be necessary.” A less common, older sense of occorrere can be found in historical or literary texts meaning “to occur” or “to happen,” but this sense is typically replaced in contemporary language by accadere, succedere, or verificarsi.

Grammar and forms: Occorre is used as an impersonal construction and does not take a conventional subject. It can precede an infinitive to indicate that some action is necessary: Occorre capire come procedere (We must understand how to proceed). The plural form is Occorrono, used when the subject is plural, as in Occorrono due ore (Two hours are needed). When a personal indirect object is involved, the phrase Mi occorre, Ti occorre, Ci occorre is used to indicate what is needed for that person or situation.

See also: necessity in Italian; impersonal verbs; ci vuole.