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Italian Level 2 verb

scrivere

/ˈskriː.ve.re/

Definition

To write — to form words or text on a surface or screen.

Example

Lei scrive una lettera alla sua amica ogni settimana.

Show translation

She writes a letter to her friend every week.

Etymology

From Latin *scribere* ("to write, to scratch, to draw"), from Proto-Indo-European *\*(s)ker-* ("to cut, to scratch"). The same Latin root gives English "scribe," "script," and "describe," making it one of the most productive roots in Western European languages.

Cultural note

Italy has a deeply celebrated literary tradition — from Dante's *Divina Commedia* to Italo Calvino's novels — so *scrivere* carries a certain cultural weight. Italians also use it in everyday digital contexts: *scrivere un messaggio* (to write/send a message) is the standard way to say you're texting someone.

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