parlare
/parˈlaːre/
Definition
To speak or talk — to express thoughts using words, either to someone or about something.
Example
Voglio parlare con te domani mattina.
Show translation
I want to talk with you tomorrow morning.
Etymology
From Latin *parabolare*, meaning "to use parables or comparisons in speech," derived from *parabola* (parable, comparison), itself from Greek *parabolē* (παραβολή). In Late Latin, *parabolare* gradually displaced the classical *loqui* as the general word for "to speak" — a shift reflected across all Romance languages (Spanish *hablar*, French *parler*, Portuguese *falar*).
Cultural note
Italians are famously expressive talkers, and *parlare* shows up everywhere: in proverbs (*chi parla semina, chi tascolta raccoglie* — "he who speaks sows, he who listens reaps"), in opera stage directions, and in everyday politeness formulas. Note that *parlare* is used both for speaking a language (*Parli italiano?* — "Do you speak Italian?") and for having a conversation, making it doubly essential for learners from day one.