⏱️ 2 min practice • 🔥 CEFR A2

perdere

Irregular Participle Level A2 ⭐ #40 Most Common

English translation: to lose / to miss (train/opportunity)

Stem Pattern: perdo, perdi / ho perso (or perduto)
💡 Key Usage Note: Used for misplacing keys, losing a match, or missing a train: 'Ho perso il treno'.
📘 Linguistic Rule: Features an irregular past participle: perso (or more formal perduto).
⚖️ Perdere vs Vincere (Antonyms)
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Presente

Losing.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Audio
io perdo
tu perdi
lui/lei perde
noi perdiamo
voi perdete
loro perdono
💡 Tip: Click any row's audio button to hear native pronunciation
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AI Smart Tutor: 'PERDERE' Insights

Linguistic breakdowns & native shortcuts

Smart Tips
🧠 Memory Trick (Mnemonic)

Cognate with 'perdition'. Think of lost souls.

⚠️ Most Common Student Mistake
✗ Don't say: Ho mancano il treno
✓ Say instead: Ho perso il treno

Why: Italian uses 'perdere' for missing transportation or chances.

🗣️ Essential Native Idioms with 'perdere'
Perdere la testa

= To lose one's mind / head

"Ha perso la testa per quella ragazza."

Perdere tempo

= To waste time

"Non abbiamo tempo da perdere."

🎴 Flashcard Practice Mode

Flip through pronouns to test active recall for 'perdere'

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Presente
io

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Answer
perdo

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Frequently Asked Questions: PERDERE

Is "perdere" a regular or irregular verb in Italian? ▾

"perdere" is classified as a Irregular Participle verb in Italian. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "perdo, perdi / ho perso (or perduto)". Features an irregular past participle: perso (or more formal perduto). Used for misplacing keys, losing a match, or missing a train: 'Ho perso il treno'.

What does "perdere" mean in English? ▾

In English, "perdere" translates primarily to "to lose / to miss (train/opportunity)". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.

What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "perdere"? ▾

A frequent error is saying "Ho mancano il treno" instead of "Ho perso il treno". Why? Italian uses 'perdere' for missing transportation or chances.

What are common idioms or expressions with "perdere"? ▾

A popular idiom is "Perdere la testa" which means "To lose one's mind / head" (e.g. "Ha perso la testa per quella ragazza.").

How can I practice and memorize "perdere" conjugations? ▾

Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.

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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks

Test your understanding of 'perdere' across tenses

Interactive Quiz
Question 1 ()

How do you say 'I missed the train' in Italian?

Other Important Italian Verbs to Study

essere Irregular

to be

avere Irregular

to have

fare Irregular

to do / to make

andare Irregular

to go

potere Irregular

can / to be able to

vedere Irregular

to see / watch

prendere Irregular

to take / catch / have (food)

stare Irregular

to stay / be (feeling/health)

dare Irregular 1st Conj

to give

sapere Irregular 2nd Conj

to know (facts, how to)

venire Irregular (-ire)

to come

dovere Irregular Modal (-ere)

to have to / must

uscire Irregular (-ire)

to go out / exit

bere Irregular (Contracted)

to drink

dire Irregular (Contracted)

to say / to tell

morire Irregular (-ire with diphthong)

to die

credere Regular (-ere verb)

to believe / to trust

mettere Irregular (Past: misi, messo)

to put / to place / to set

sentire Regular (-ire verb)

to hear / to feel / to smell

capire Stem-Infixing (-isc- group)

to understand / to figure out

aprire Irregular Participle (aperto)

to open / to unlock

leggere Irregular (Past: lessi, letto)

to read / to interpret

vivere Irregular

to live / to reside / to experience

chiudere Irregular

to close / to shut

finire Inchoative -isc- verb

to finish / to end

pensare Regular -are

to think / to ponder

portare Regular -are

to bring / to carry / to wear (clothes)

restare Regular -are

to remain / to stay

piacere Irregular (Inverted Syntax)

to like / to please

salire Irregular (-ire)

to go up / to climb / to board

scegliere Irregular (-gliere)

to choose / to select

chiedere Irregular Participle

to ask / to request

vincere Irregular Participle

to win / to conquer

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