pescare
Lemma: pescare
Translation: to fish; to catch fish; to catch; to pick out; to draw (verb)
Etymology: From Latin 'piscari', derived from 'piscis' meaning 'fish'. The English word 'pescatarian' (someone who eats fish but not meat) shares this Latin root. The evolution from Latin 'piscari' to Italian 'pescare' shows the typical sound change where Latin 'sc' becomes 'sc' [ʃ] in Italian before front vowels.
Example Usage
Mio nonno va a pescare ogni domenica.
My grandfather goes fishing every Sunday.
Ho pescato un pesce enorme ieri.
I caught a huge fish yesterday.
Non riesco a pescare le chiavi nella borsa.
I can't find (fish out) the keys in my bag.
Ha pescato la carta vincente.
He drew the winning card.
Ti ho pescato in una bugia!
I caught you in a lie!
Mnemonics
- Think of 'pescatarian' - someone who eats fish but not meat.
- Remember the phrase 'gone fishing' and connect it to 'vado a pescare'.
- Connect with 'pesce' (fish) - you 'pescare' (fish for) a 'pesce' (fish).
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Fishing has been an important economic and cultural activity in Italy for centuries, especially in coastal regions. The verb 'pescare' extends beyond literal fishing to metaphorical uses in everyday language, such as 'pescare' someone in a lie or 'pescare' an idea.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Pescare' means 'to fish' while 'pesare' means 'to weigh'. They look and sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Confused word:
Devo pesare il pacco prima di spedirlo.
I need to weigh the package before shipping it.
Notes: The confusion is common because they differ by just one letter and both are regular -are verbs.
Mnemonic: 'Pescare' has a 'c' like 'catch' (fish), while 'pesare' is about weight.
Explanation: 'Pesca' can be both the noun for 'fishing' and the fruit 'peach', while 'pescare' is the verb 'to fish'.
Notes: 'Pesca' as 'fishing' is directly related to 'pescare', being its noun form.
Mnemonic: Remember that 'pescare' ends with '-are' like most Italian verbs, while 'pesca' is a noun.