From Latin *dare* ("to give"), from Proto-Indo-European root *deh₃-* ("to give"). Cognates include French *donner*, Spanish *dar*, Portuguese *dar*, and English "donate" and "data" (literally "things given").

*Dare* appears in dozens of everyday Italian expressions beyond simple giving. *Dare del tu* means to address someone informally (using *tu*), while *dare del Lei* means to use the formal address — a socially important distinction. *Dare fastidio* means "to bother/annoy," and *darsi da fare* means "to get busy / make an effort." Watch out for the false friend trap: Italian *dare* does not mean "to dare" (that would be *osare*).