ricevere

Ricevere is an Italian verb meaning to receive or to be given something. It is used to indicate the reception of objects, messages, visitors, awards, or information. The verb is transitive and takes a direct object, as in “Ho ricevuto una lettera” (I received a letter). It can also mean to host or welcome someone in formal or public contexts, for example “la compagnia ha ricevuto molti visitatori.”

Etymology and usage notes: Ricevere derives from the Latin recipere, meaning to take back or to receive. In Italian, the verb is commonly used across many contexts, from everyday exchanges to formal announcements. It can appear in passive constructions with essere, for example “La lettera è stata ricevuta,” meaning “The letter has been received.”

Conjugation and example forms: Ricevere is a regular -ere verb, with stem ricev- plus standard endings. Present: io ricevo, tu ricevi, lui/lei riceve, noi riceviamo, voi ricevete, loro ricevono. Passato prossimo uses avere: ho ricevuto, hai ricevuto, ha ricevuto, abbiamo ricevuto, avete ricevuto, hanno ricevuto. Other tenses follow the typical -ere pattern: imperfect (ricevevo, ricevevi, riceveva, ricevevamo, ricevevate, ricevevano), future (riceverò, riceverai, riceverà, riceveremo, riceverete, riceveranno). The past participle is ricevuto; the present subjunctive forms include riceva, riceviamo, ricevete, ricevano.

Common phrases: ricevere un pacco, ricevere un invito, ricevere una visita, ricevere premi o notizie. Related verbs include ottenere (to obtain) and accogliere (to welcome), which emphasize different nuances of reception.

See also: usage in formal contexts (ricevere ospiti/visitatori) and the distinction between ricevere and ottenere in conveying different shades of reception.