rientrava

Rientrava is the imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb rientrare, meaning to re-enter or to return to a place. In this tense it describes a past action that was ongoing or habitual, such as someone was returning to a location or used to return there.

Etymology and form: Rientrare is built from the prefix ri-, indicating return or repetition, plus entrare (to enter), which itself comes from Latin intrāre. The form rientrava reflects the standard conjugation pattern for -are verbs in the imperfect: io rientravo, tu rientravi, lui/lei rientrava, noi rientravamo, voi rientravate, loro rientravano. Rientrava specifically corresponds to the third person singular.

Usage: The verb is commonly employed in narrative past description or to express habitual past actions. It can describe physical re-entry, for example returning to a home or building, as well as metaphorical returns to habits, states, or situations. The imperfect tone conveys duration or repetitiveness rather than a punctual past event.

Examples:

Lui rientrava a casa prima delle otto. (He used to return home before eight.)

Quando la porta si aprì, lui rientrava nel cortile. (When the door opened, he was re-entering the courtyard.)

See also: rientro (the act of returning) and entrare (to enter).