ignorare
Lemma: ignorare
Translation: to ignore; to be unaware of; to not know; to disregard (verb)
Etymology: From Latin 'ignorare', meaning 'to not know, to be unaware of', derived from 'in-' (not) + 'gnarus' (knowing). The English cognate 'ignore' comes from the same Latin root. The original meaning in Latin emphasized lack of knowledge rather than deliberate disregard, which is a more modern development of the meaning.
Example Usage
Non posso ignorare questo problema.
I cannot ignore this problem.
Ignoro completamente come funzioni questo dispositivo.
I am completely unaware of how this device works.
Ha ignorato i miei messaggi per giorni.
He ignored my messages for days.
Ignoravo che fosse il tuo compleanno.
I didn't know it was your birthday.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'ignorare' as being 'ignorant' of something - not knowing about it.
- The '-are' ending tells you it's a first conjugation verb in Italian.
- Remember that 'ignorare' can mean both 'to ignore' and 'to not know' - it covers both deliberate and unintentional lack of awareness.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Italian, 'ignorare' can have both the meaning of deliberately ignoring something and simply not knowing about something. This dual meaning can sometimes cause confusion for English speakers who primarily associate 'ignore' with deliberate disregard.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Ignorare' is a verb meaning 'to ignore' or 'to not know', while 'ignorante' is an adjective meaning 'ignorant' or 'uneducated'.
Confused word:
Quella persona è molto ignorante riguardo alla storia.
That person is very ignorant about history.
Notes: In Italian, 'ignorante' can be more offensive than in English, often implying rudeness or lack of manners in addition to lack of knowledge.
Mnemonic: 'Ignorare' ends with '-are' like many Italian verbs, while 'ignorante' ends with '-ante' like many adjectives.
Explanation: 'Ignorare' is the verb (to ignore/not know), while 'ignoranza' is the noun (ignorance).
Confused word:
La sua ignoranza su questo argomento è sorprendente.
His ignorance on this topic is surprising.
Notes: 'Ignoranza' in Italian, like in English, refers to a lack of knowledge or education, but can also imply rudeness or lack of manners in certain contexts.
Mnemonic: Think of the '-anza' ending as creating the noun form, similar to how '-ance' works in English (ignore → ignorance).