referirsi

Riferirsi is an Italian pronominal verb used to indicate that something is being referred to by the subject, or to relate the subject to a previously mentioned element or to a broader context. The verb has two main uses: (1) to refer to something or someone, especially within discourse or a text; (2) to pertain to or relate to a topic or situation.

Etymology and meaning: Riferirsi derives from riferire, which means to report or to tell. The reflexive form adds the pronoun si, turning the sense toward the subject’s own reference or relation. In practice, it is common to say that something “si riferisce a” a given matter, meaning it concerns or relates to that matter.

Conjugation and usage: Riferirsi is a regular -ire verb with the isc- pattern in its present tense forms. In the present indicative, the active form is riferisco, riferisci, riferisce, riferiamo, riferite, riferiscono. The reflexive forms, used with the appropriate subject, are mi riferisco, ti riferisci, si riferisce, ci riferiamo, vi riferite, si riferiscono. It is frequently used with the preposition a to mark the referent: “mi riferisco a una nota nel testo” or “si riferisce al periodo storico.” The verb also appears in compound tenses with the auxiliary essere in reflexive forms: “mi sono riferito,” “ci siamo riferiti,” etc.

Examples: “Mi riferisco al paragrafo tre.” “Questo termine si riferisce al concetto di identità.” “Nel discorso si riferiscono ai dati raccolti.”

Notes: The distinction with riferire is that riferire means to report something to others, while riferirsi means to refer to or relate to something within discourse. Riferirsi is common in formal writing, journalism, and everyday speech when indicating reference or relevance.