Learn how to form and use a past participle in Italian
First of all, what exactly is a participle? Some examples of English past participles are gone, seen, spoken, eaten etc.
Past participles in English are used to form the past (I have eaten), the passive (it was eaten) or can be used just as adjectives (a half-eaten biscuit).
The good news is that they are used in exactly the same way in Italian!
Past participles in Italian are usually formed by adding one of three endings to the root of the infinitive, - ato, - ito or - uto, but as in English there are quite a few irregulars!
Infinitives that end - are become - ato, eg ballare - ballato
Infinitives that end - ire become - ito, eg finire - finito
Infinitives that end - ere become - uto, eg sedere - seduto
Infinitives that end - ere are often irregular, eg prendere - preso. Click here for a list.
Try a quick exercise to practice by clicking here
