prolungare

Prolungare is an Italian verb meaning to lengthen, extend, or prolong. It is used to indicate making something longer in time or space, such as extending a deadline, a meeting, a stay, or a physical dimension. In everyday language it can also mean to delay the end of an event or period. The reflexive form prolungarsi denotes that something lasts longer by itself, as in Il soggiorno si è prolungato.

Etymology and related terms: Prolungare comes from Latin prolongare, formed from pro- (forward, forth) and longus (long). Related nouns include prolungamento (extension or prolongation) and prolungato (prolonged, past participle). The verb can be combined with adverbs or prepositional phrases to specify the amount of extension, for example prolungare di due ore (to extend by two hours). Other derivatives include prolunga (extension, often used for a physical extension like a cord) and prolungabile (extendable).

Conjugation: Prolungare is a regular -are verb. In the present indicative the forms are: io prolung o, tu prolung hi, lui/lei prolunga, noi prolung iamo, voi prolung ate, loro prolung ano. Other tenses follow the standard -are patterns (e.g., passato prossimo: ho prolungato; gerund: prolungando; participio: prolungato). The verb can be used transitively with a direct object or with an explicit measure of extension.

Usage note: Prolungare is common in formal and administrative contexts (plans, schedules, legal deadlines) as well as in everyday speech. It is often preferred over synonyms like estendere when the emphasis is on increasing duration rather than broadening scope.