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A1 verb 13 min de lecture

vendere

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces vendere en 30 secondes

Explication vendere in your Level:

At the A1 level, the verb 'vendere' is used in its most literal and basic sense. Students learn to use it in the present tense to describe simple transactions. You will use it to say things like 'I sell my car' (Vendo la mia macchina) or 'They sell bread' (Loro vendono pane). The focus is on the subject-verb-object structure. At this stage, you should memorize the present tense conjugation: vendo, vendi, vende, vendiamo, vendete, vendono. You will also learn that 'vendere' is the opposite of 'comprare' (to buy). Simple questions like 'Vendi questo?' (Do you sell this?) are essential for basic travel and shopping interactions. You might also see the past participle 'venduto' (sold) on signs in shop windows. The goal is to understand that 'vendere' involves giving something and getting money in return. You don't need to worry about complex tenses yet, just the ability to state what is being sold and by whom in the present moment or as a general fact.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand your use of 'vendere' into the past and future. You will learn the 'passato prossimo' to describe things you have already sold: 'Ho venduto i miei libri vecchi' (I sold my old books). Notice the use of the auxiliary 'avere'. You will also start using the future tense to talk about plans: 'Venderemo la casa l'anno prossimo' (We will sell the house next year). At this level, you should be comfortable using 'vendere' with indirect objects, such as 'Vendo il mio telefono a mio fratello' (I am selling my phone to my brother). You will also encounter the word in more varied contexts, like small advertisements or simple news stories about local businesses. You should start to recognize derivatives like 'venditore' (seller) and 'vendita' (sale). The concept of the 'si passivante' (e.g., 'Qui si vende il giornale' - The newspaper is sold here) might be introduced, helping you understand signs and public notices more effectively.

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By the B1 level, your use of 'vendere' becomes more flexible and includes abstract concepts. You might talk about 'selling an idea' or 'selling a dream'. You will also master more complex tenses like the 'imperfetto' (used for habitual selling in the past: 'Da bambino vendevo limonate') and the 'condizionale' (used for hypothetical situations: 'Venderei tutto per viaggiare'). You will start to use idiomatic expressions like 'vendere cara la pelle' (to put up a hard fight). At this stage, you should be able to participate in a discussion about the economy or personal finances using the verb. You'll also learn to use direct and indirect object pronouns together with the verb, such as 'Te lo vendo' (I'll sell it to you). Your vocabulary will expand to include synonyms like 'commerciare' and 'distribuire', and you will understand when to use 'vendere' versus more specific verbs. You can describe the process of a sale in detail, including negotiations and prices.

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At the B2 level, you can use 'vendere' in professional and formal contexts with ease. You will understand the nuances of business Italian, discussing 'volume di vendita' (sales volume) and 'strategie di vendita' (sales strategies). You will be able to use the subjunctive mood with 'vendere' in complex sentences: 'Credo che vendano prodotti di alta qualità' (I believe they sell high-quality products). You will also be familiar with the reflexive form 'vendersi' in its figurative sense, meaning 'to sell oneself out' or 'to compromise one's integrity'. You can follow fast-paced news reports about market fluctuations where 'vendere' is a key term. Your ability to distinguish between 'vendere' and more formal alternatives like 'alienare' or 'cedere' will improve. You can write a formal letter or a business proposal that includes the verb, and you can handle complex conditional sentences: 'Se avessero venduto l'azienda prima, avrebbero guadagnato di più' (If they had sold the company earlier, they would have earned more).

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At the C1 level, you have a deep, nuanced understanding of 'vendere' and its place in Italian literature and high-level discourse. You can identify the verb in various historical texts and understand how its usage has evolved. You are comfortable with all idiomatic and metaphorical uses, such as 'vendere fumo' (to sell hot air/deceive). You can use the verb in sophisticated rhetorical structures to persuade or argue a point. You understand the subtle implications of using 'vendere' in different registers—from the slang of the street to the jargon of the boardroom. You can analyze the cultural significance of the 'mercato' in Italy and how the act of 'vendere' is tied to social identity. Your mastery of the verb allows you to use it creatively in writing, perhaps using it as a metaphor for social or personal betrayal in a literary essay. You can also handle technical discussions in fields like law or economics where 'vendere' appears in the context of complex contracts and international trade agreements.

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At the C2 level, your command of 'vendere' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can appreciate the finest nuances of the verb in poetry and classical literature. You are aware of archaic forms and rare derivatives that might appear in historical documents. You can use 'vendere' with absolute precision in any context, from a highly technical legal argument to a philosophical treatise on the nature of exchange. You understand the etymological roots deeply and can discuss how the Latin 'venum dare' influenced the development of the verb in various Romance languages. Your ability to use the verb is effortless, and you can play with its meaning to create irony, humor, or deep emotional resonance. You are a master of the Italian 'vendita', understanding not just the word, but the entire cultural and economic system it represents. Whether you are analyzing a complex financial report or a masterpiece of Italian cinema, you see the multi-layered meanings of 'vendere' in every context.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

vendere en 30 secondes

Vendere is a regular -ere verb meaning 'to sell'. It is essential for shopping and business.
The past participle is 'venduto' and it uses the auxiliary verb 'avere' in compound tenses.
It can be used literally for goods or figuratively for ideas, dreams, or personal integrity.
Commonly seen as 'Vendesi' on signs, meaning 'For Sale', which uses the impersonal 'si' form.

The Italian verb vendere is a fundamental pillar of communication, representing the act of transferring ownership of an item or service in exchange for monetary compensation. At its core, it is the direct opposite of comprare (to buy). In the Italian language, this verb belongs to the second conjugation group, ending in -ere, and it follows a regular pattern which makes it one of the first verbs learners encounter when discussing commerce, daily life, and economic transactions. Whether you are at a local market in Florence or browsing an online shop based in Milan, understanding how to use vendere is essential for navigating the world of trade.

Commercial Context: The primary use of the word involves the professional sale of goods. This includes everything from a baker selling bread to a real estate agent selling a villa. It implies a formal or informal agreement where a price is set and met.

Il contadino vuole vendere le sue mele al mercato locale ogni sabato mattina.

Translation: The farmer wants to sell his apples at the local market every Saturday morning.

Beyond the physical exchange of goods, vendere can also be used in more abstract or metaphorical ways. For instance, one might 'sell' an idea, a dream, or even themselves in a professional context (meaning to promote one's skills). This versatility allows the word to appear in business meetings, political speeches, and casual conversations alike. In Italy, the culture of the 'mercato' (market) is very strong, so you will often hear vendors shouting their prices, using the verb to attract attention to their wares. It is a word that carries the energy of the Italian piazza.

Abstract Usage: In a figurative sense, vendere can refer to the act of convincing someone of the value of an intangible concept. It can also be used negatively to mean 'betraying' someone, similar to the English phrase 'to sell someone out'.

Non puoi vendere fumo alle persone; hanno bisogno di fatti concreti.

Translation: You cannot sell smoke (sell hot air) to people; they need concrete facts.

Historically, the word derives from the Latin vendere, which was a contraction of venum dare, literally meaning 'to give for sale'. This history highlights the transition from simple giving to a structured economic exchange. In modern Italy, the verb is conjugated regularly: io vendo (I sell), tu vendi (you sell), lui/lei vende (he/she sells), and so on. Its past participle is venduto, which you will see on signs everywhere to indicate that an item is no longer available. Understanding the rhythm of this verb helps in recognizing its many derivatives, such as venditore (seller) or vendita (sale).

Professional Register: In formal business Italian, vendere is used to discuss revenue, sales targets, and market distribution. It is a key term for anyone working in the Italian corporate sector.

La nostra azienda deve vendere almeno mille unità per raggiungere il pareggio.

Translation: Our company must sell at least one thousand units to reach the break-even point.

Ho deciso di vendere la mia vecchia macchina per comprarne una nuova elettrica.

Translation: I decided to sell my old car to buy a new electric one.

Loro vendono prodotti artigianali fatti interamente a mano in Italia.

Translation: They sell artisanal products made entirely by hand in Italy.

Using vendere correctly requires an understanding of its conjugation and the prepositions that often accompany it. As a regular -ere verb, it provides a stable foundation for learners. In the present tense, the endings are standard: -o, -i, -e, -iamo, -ete, -ono. When you want to specify who you are selling to, you use the preposition a (to). For example, 'Vendo il libro a Marco' (I sell the book to Marco). This structure is consistent across most tenses, making it relatively straightforward for English speakers who use a similar 'sell something to someone' construction.

The Present Tense: The present tense is used for current actions or habitual behaviors. 'Lui vende fiori' means 'He sells flowers' (either right now or as his job).

Noi vendiamo vestiti usati su una piattaforma online molto famosa.

Translation: We sell used clothes on a very famous online platform.

In the past tense, specifically the passato prossimo, vendere uses the auxiliary verb avere. The past participle is venduto. This is used for completed actions in the past. If you sold your house last year, you would say, 'Ho venduto la mia casa l'anno scorso'. It is important to remember that because it uses avere, the participle venduto does not change to match the subject, though it may change to match a preceding direct object pronoun (e.g., 'Le ho vendute' - I sold them, referring to feminine plural items like 'le scarpe').

The Future Tense: The future tense of vendere is formed by dropping the final -e and adding future endings: venderò, venderai, venderà, venderemo, venderete, venderanno.

L'anno prossimo, la famiglia venderà il terreno per costruire un nuovo hotel.

Translation: Next year, the family will sell the land to build a new hotel.

Another common construction involves the reflexive form vendersi. While less common in basic A1 contexts, it is useful to know. It can mean 'to sell oneself' (metaphorically) or it can be used in a passive sense: 'Questa macchina si vende bene' (This car sells well / is easily sold). This 'si passivante' is a very Italian way to express that something is popular on the market without specifying who the seller is.

Conditional Usage: The conditional is used for hypothetical situations. 'Venderei la mia anima per un caffè' is a common hyperbolic expression meaning 'I would sell my soul for a coffee'.

Se avessi più soldi, non dovrei vendere i miei gioielli di famiglia.

Translation: If I had more money, I would not have to sell my family jewels.

Voi vendete biglietti per il concerto di stasera?

Translation: Do you sell tickets for tonight's concert?

Il negozio vendeva tutto a metà prezzo durante i saldi stagionali.

Translation: The shop was selling everything at half price during the seasonal sales.

If you walk through the streets of any Italian city, vendere is a word that will vibrate in the air. The most common place to hear it is at the mercato rionale (local neighborhood market). Here, vendors (ambulanti) use various forms of the verb to draw in customers. You might hear a fruit seller shouting, 'Vendo fragole dolci!' (I sell sweet strawberries!). The atmosphere is lively, and the verb is used as a call to action. It is not just a clinical transaction; it is a performance of commerce that has existed for centuries in the Italian peninsula.

Real Estate and Classifieds: When walking past an apartment building, you will frequently see signs that say 'Vendesi' (For Sale). This is the impersonal 'si' form of vendere. It is the standard way to advertise property.

Ho visto un cartello con scritto 'Vendesi appartamento' proprio vicino al Colosseo.

Translation: I saw a sign saying 'Apartment for Sale' right near the Colosseum.

In the digital age, vendere has moved to platforms like Subito.it or Facebook Marketplace. In these contexts, you will see descriptions starting with 'Vendo per inutilizzo' (Selling because of lack of use). This is a very common phrase Italians use to explain why they are getting rid of something perfectly good. It implies that the item is in good condition, but the owner simply does not need it anymore. Hearing this in a conversation suggests a casual, second-hand exchange between individuals rather than a retail experience.

The News and Economics: On news programs like TG5 or Rai News, you will hear vendere in discussions about the stock market. 'Gli investitori iniziano a vendere le azioni' (Investors are starting to sell shares).

Il telegiornale dice che è il momento sbagliato per vendere oro.

Translation: The news says it is the wrong time to sell gold.

Pop culture and music also utilize the word. Many Italian songs discuss 'selling one's soul' or 'selling dreams'. In cinema, a character might be accused of 'selling out' (vendersi) to a rival. The word carries weight because it implies a choice: the choice to let go of something for a price. In everyday life, if you go to a 'tabaccheria', you might ask, 'Vendete francobolli?' (Do you sell stamps?). The verb is functional, ubiquitous, and deeply integrated into the social fabric of Italy.

Idiomatic Hearing: You might hear 'vendere la pelle dell'orso prima di averlo ucciso', which is the Italian version of 'counting your chickens before they hatch'.

Non vendere la pelle dell'orso prima di averlo ucciso!

Translation: Do not sell the bear's skin before you have killed it!

Mia sorella vende quadri che dipinge nel tempo libero.

Translation: My sister sells paintings that she paints in her free time.

For English speakers, vendere is relatively intuitive, but there are several pitfalls to avoid. One of the most common mistakes is confusing the conjugation with -are verbs. Beginners might say 'io vendo' (correct) but then accidentally say 'noi vendiamo' (correct) and then 'loro vendano' (incorrect). The correct third-person plural for -ere verbs is vendono. Remembering the specific vowel patterns of the second conjugation is key to sounding natural. Another error involves the past participle. Some learners try to say 'vendato' instead of the correct venduto. Always remember that -ere verbs typically take the -uto ending in the past participle.

Confusion with Comprare: It sounds simple, but in the heat of conversation, learners often swap 'vendere' (to sell) and 'comprare' (to buy). Always double-check your direction of exchange!

Sbagliato: Ho vendato la bici. Corretto: Ho venduto la bici.

Explanation: The past participle of 'vendere' ends in -uto, not -ato.

Another nuance is the use of prepositions. In English, we say 'I sell it for ten euros'. In Italian, you use the preposition a or per. 'Lo vendo a dieci euro' is the most common way to express the price. Using 'di' or 'da' in this context is a frequent mistake. Furthermore, be careful with the verb svendere. While it looks like vendere, it means 'to sell off' or 'to sell at a loss/bargain'. If you use svendere when you just mean a regular sale, you might imply you are desperate for money or that the item is of low quality.

The Impersonal Si: Learners often forget to use 'si vende' for 'it is sold'. They might try to translate 'it is sold' literally as 'è venduto', which is grammatically possible but sounds much less natural than 'si vende' or 'è in vendita'.

Sbagliato: Vendo il libro da cinque euro. Corretto: Vendo il libro a cinque euro.

Explanation: Use 'a' to indicate the price of an item.

Lastly, consider the register. While vendere is perfectly fine for most situations, in extremely formal or legal documents, you might see alienare or cedere. Using vendere in a high-level legal contract for a multi-million euro merger might be slightly too informal, though still technically correct. Conversely, using cedere when selling a sandwich to a friend would sound incredibly stiff and strange. Stick to vendere for 99 percent of your daily interactions!

Direct Object Pronouns: When using pronouns like 'lo' (it) or 'li' (them), they must come before the conjugated verb: 'Lo vendo' (I sell it), not 'Vendo lo'.

Sbagliato: Voglio venderlo a te. Corretto: Te lo voglio vendere (or 'venderlo' is actually okay here, but 'te lo vendo' is more common).

Note: Pronoun placement can be tricky with infinitives.

Non vendere mai i tuoi sogni per un po' di soldi.

Translation: Never sell your dreams for a bit of money.

While vendere is the most common verb for selling, Italian offers a variety of synonyms and related terms that can add precision to your speech. Depending on the context—whether it is a clearance sale, an illegal transaction, or a professional distribution—different words might be more appropriate. Understanding these nuances will help you move from a basic level of Italian to a more sophisticated one. Let's look at some of the most frequent alternatives and how they differ from the standard vendere.

Svendere vs. Vendere: Vendere: To sell at a normal price.
Svendere: To sell at a very low price, often to get rid of stock quickly or out of necessity. It literally means 'to sell off'.

Another important word is commerciare. This verb is broader than vendere; it means 'to trade' or 'to deal in'. If a person 'commercia in tessuti', they are in the business of trading fabrics, which involves both buying and selling on a larger scale. Spacciare, on the other hand, is a word you should use carefully. While it can mean 'to distribute' in some very specific old-fashioned contexts, in modern Italian, it almost exclusively refers to the illegal selling of drugs. If you say someone is 'spacciando', you are accusing them of being a drug dealer.

Cedere vs. Vendere: Vendere: Standard commercial exchange.
Cedere: To hand over, transfer, or relinquish. Often used for rights, shares, or business ownership. It sounds more formal and emphasizes the transfer of rights rather than just the money.

Il negozio deve svendere tutta la merce prima della chiusura definitiva.

Translation: The shop must sell off all the goods before the final closure.

For those interested in marketing, promuovere (to promote) and piazzare (to place/sell) are useful. Piazzare is often used in a business sense to mean finding a buyer for a large quantity of goods or 'placing' a product in a market. In a more casual setting, if you are trying to get rid of something and you find a buyer, you might say, 'Sono riuscito a piazzarlo' (I managed to offload/sell it). It carries a slight connotation of success in a difficult sale.

Esportare vs. Vendere: Vendere: General selling.
Esportare: Specifically selling goods to another country. This is a vital word in the context of 'Made in Italy' products.

L'Italia esporta vino e olio d'oliva in tutto il mondo.

Translation: Italy exports wine and olive oil all over the world.

Non voglio cedere la mia quota della società a nessun estraneo.

Translation: I do not want to transfer my share of the company to any stranger.

Hanno piazzato il loro nuovo prodotto in tutti i supermercati della regione.

Translation: They placed (sold/distributed) their new product in all the supermarkets in the region.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The English words 'vendor', 'vending machine', and 'venal' all share the same Latin root as the Italian 'vendere'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈvɛndere/

US /ˈvɛndere/

The stress is on the first syllable: VÈN-de-re.

Rime avec

prendere rendere scendere attendere accendere appendere comprendere difendere

Erreurs fréquentes

Stressing the second syllable (ven-DÈ-re) like some other -ere verbs.
Pronouncing the 'v' like a 'b'.
Muffling the final 'e'.
Making the 'n' too nasal.
Forgetting to pronounce the double 'e' sounds distinctly.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to its similarity to English 'vendor' and its frequent appearance in signs.

Écriture 2/5

Regular conjugation makes it easy, but must remember the -ere endings and -uto past participle.

Expression orale 2/5

Simple pronunciation, though the stress on the first syllable is important.

Écoute 1/5

Clear and distinct sound, rarely confused with other common words once the context is clear.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

comprare (to buy) soldi (money) prezzo (price) cosa (thing) negozio (shop)

Apprends ensuite

pagare (to pay) costare (to cost) sconto (discount) ricevuta (receipt) mercato (market)

Avancé

alienare (to alienate/sell) cedere (to transfer) commerciare (to trade) distribuire (to distribute) negoziare (to negotiate)

Grammaire à connaître

Regular -ere verb conjugation in the present tense.

Io vendo, tu vendi, lui vende...

Use of 'avere' as an auxiliary for transitive verbs in the passato prossimo.

Ho venduto il libro.

The 'si passivante' construction for impersonal 'for sale'.

Qui si vendono fiori.

Pronoun placement with conjugated verbs.

Lo vendo (I sell it).

Agreement of the past participle with preceding direct object pronouns.

Le ho vendute (I sold them - feminine).

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Exemples par niveau

Io vendo la mia vecchia bicicletta.

I sell my old bicycle.

Present tense, first person singular.

Loro vendono frutta fresca al mercato.

They sell fresh fruit at the market.

Present tense, third person plural.

Tu vendi il tuo libro di italiano?

Do you sell your Italian book?

Present tense, second person singular question.

Il negozio vende vestiti per bambini.

The shop sells children's clothes.

Present tense, third person singular.

Noi vendiamo la nostra macchina rossa.

We sell our red car.

Present tense, first person plural.

Voi vendete biglietti per il treno?

Do you sell train tickets?

Present tense, second person plural question.

Lei vende bellissimi quadri colorati.

She sells beautiful colored paintings.

Present tense, third person singular (feminine).

Il panettiere vende il pane ogni mattina.

The baker sells bread every morning.

Present tense, third person singular with frequency adverb.

Ho venduto il mio computer ieri.

I sold my computer yesterday.

Passato prossimo, first person singular.

Abbiamo venduto la casa in città.

We sold the house in the city.

Passato prossimo, first person plural.

Venderò la mia moto la prossima estate.

I will sell my motorcycle next summer.

Future tense, first person singular.

Perché hai venduto la tua chitarra?

Why did you sell your guitar?

Passato prossimo, second person singular question.

Loro hanno venduto tutti i biglietti.

They sold all the tickets.

Passato prossimo, third person plural.

Venderete i vostri mobili usati?

Will you sell your used furniture?

Future tense, second person plural.

Marco ha venduto il suo orologio d'oro.

Marco sold his gold watch.

Passato prossimo, third person singular.

Venderà il suo terreno per fare soldi.

He will sell his land to make money.

Future tense, third person singular.

Se avessi tempo, venderei torte fatte in casa.

If I had time, I would sell homemade cakes.

Present conditional, first person singular.

Mentre camminavo, ho visto che vendevano libri antichi.

While I was walking, I saw that they were selling old books.

Imperfetto used for ongoing action in the past.

È difficile vendere un'idea così innovativa.

It is difficult to sell such an innovative idea.

Infinitive used after an impersonal expression.

Ti venderei la mia anima per un gelato ora!

I would sell you my soul for an ice cream now!

Hyperbolic use of conditional.

Hanno venduto cara la pelle prima di perdere la partita.

They put up a hard fight before losing the match.

Idiomatic expression 'vendere cara la pelle'.

Mi hanno detto che vendono ottimi prodotti qui.

They told me that they sell great products here.

Indirect speech with present tense.

Spero che vendano presto quell'appartamento rumoroso.

I hope they sell that noisy apartment soon.

Present subjunctive after a verb of hope.

Da giovane, vendevo giornali all'angolo della strada.

As a youth, I used to sell newspapers on the street corner.

Imperfetto for habitual past action.

L'azienda ha deciso di vendere la filiale estera.

The company decided to sell the foreign branch.

Infinitive after a verb of decision.

Non credo che vendere tutto sia la soluzione migliore.

I don't believe that selling everything is the best solution.

Infinitive used as a noun in a subjunctive clause.

Hanno venduto le azioni proprio prima del crollo del mercato.

They sold the shares just before the market crash.

Passato prossimo in a financial context.

Si vendono molti più libri digitali rispetto al passato.

Many more digital books are sold compared to the past.

Si passivante (passive 'si').

Il politico è stato accusato di essersi venduto alle lobby.

The politician was accused of selling himself out to lobbies.

Reflexive 'vendersi' meaning 'to sell out'.

Vendere prodotti online richiede una strategia di marketing solida.

Selling products online requires a solid marketing strategy.

Infinitive as the subject of the sentence.

Nonostante la crisi, sono riusciti a vendere l'intera collezione.

Despite the crisis, they managed to sell the entire collection.

Infinitive after 'riuscire a'.

Se avessimo venduto prima, avremmo evitato queste perdite.

If we had sold earlier, we would have avoided these losses.

Past conditional in a hypothetical sentence.

L'autore si rifiuta di vendere i diritti cinematografici del suo romanzo.

The author refuses to sell the film rights of his novel.

Infinitive after a reflexive verb.

In questo saggio, si analizza come vendere un'immagine di sé fittizia.

In this essay, we analyze how to sell a fictitious image of oneself.

Abstract usage in academic writing.

La sua capacità di vendere ghiaccio agli eschimesi è leggendaria.

His ability to sell ice to Eskimos is legendary.

Idiomatic expression for a great salesperson.

Non bisogna vendere fumo se si vuole mantenere la credibilità.

One must not sell smoke (hot air) if one wants to maintain credibility.

Metaphorical idiom 'vendere fumo'.

Il terreno è stato alienato, ovvero venduto a un ente pubblico.

The land has been alienated, that is, sold to a public body.

Use of 'alienare' as a formal synonym for 'vendere'.

Molti artisti temono di vendersi al mercato commerciale.

Many artists fear selling themselves out to the commercial market.

Reflexive 'vendersi' in a philosophical context.

La società ha venduto il proprio marchio per una cifra astronomica.

The company sold its brand for an astronomical figure.

High-level business context.

È inutile vendere la pelle dell'orso prima di averlo catturato.

It is useless to sell the bear's skin before having captured it.

Classic Italian proverb.

L'opera riflette l'angoscia di un'epoca che ha venduto i propri valori al miglior offerente.

The work reflects the anguish of an era that has sold its values to the highest bidder.

Deeply metaphorical and literary usage.

Egli ha venduto la propria integrità sull'altare del potere politico.

He sold his integrity on the altar of political power.

High-register metaphorical language.

La transazione prevedeva di vendere i cespiti meno redditizi per risanare il bilancio.

The transaction involved selling the less profitable assets to balance the budget.

Technical financial terminology (cespiti).

Svendere il patrimonio culturale nazionale è un errore imperdonabile.

Selling off the national cultural heritage is an unforgivable mistake.

Use of 'svendere' in a socio-political critique.

Si è venduto l'anima al diavolo per ottenere la fama eterna.

He sold his soul to the devil to obtain eternal fame.

Archetypal literary reference.

La retorica del vendere a ogni costo ha pervaso ogni aspetto della vita moderna.

The rhetoric of selling at any cost has permeated every aspect of modern life.

Sociological analysis using the infinitive.

Il mercante veneziano cercava di vendere le sue spezie rare nelle corti europee.

The Venetian merchant sought to sell his rare spices in European courts.

Historical narrative context.

Non si può vendere ciò che non si possiede, sia esso un bene materiale o un'illusione.

One cannot sell what one does not possess, be it a material good or an illusion.

Philosophical maxim.

Collocations courantes

Vendere a caro prezzo

Vendere all'asta

Vendere al dettaglio

Vendere all'ingrosso

Vendere fumo

Vendere sottocosto

Vendere l'anima

Vendere bene

Vendere per inutilizzo

Vendere a rate

Phrases Courantes

Cosa vendete?

— What do you sell? Used when entering a shop with an unclear purpose.

Scusi, cosa vendete in questo negozio?

È in vendita?

— Is it for sale? Used to ask if an item can be purchased.

Questo tavolo antico è in vendita?

Lo vendo a...

— I am selling it for... Used to state the price of an item.

Lo vendo a cinquanta euro.

Vendesi appartamento

— Apartment for sale. A standard sign found on buildings.

Ho visto un cartello 'Vendesi' sulla porta.

Venduto!

— Sold! Used by auctioneers or when an agreement is reached.

L'affare è fatto. Venduto!

Punto vendita

— Point of sale or retail outlet.

Dobbiamo aprire un nuovo punto vendita a Milano.

Contratto di vendita

— Sales contract. A legal document for a transaction.

Dobbiamo firmare il contratto di vendita oggi.

Prezzo di vendita

— Selling price. The amount asked for an item.

Qual è il prezzo di vendita finale?

Tecniche di vendita

— Sales techniques. Skills used to persuade buyers.

Sta seguendo un corso sulle tecniche di vendita.

Volume di vendita

— Sales volume. The total amount of goods sold.

Il volume di vendita è aumentato del dieci percento.

Souvent confondu avec

vendere vs Venire

They sound similar in some forms (vende vs viene), but 'venire' means 'to come'.

vendere vs Vedere

They both start with 've-', but 'vedere' means 'to see'.

vendere vs Vincere

Another 'v' verb, but 'vincere' means 'to win'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Vendere cara la pelle"

— To put up a hard fight or to resist strongly before being defeated.

La squadra ha perso, ma ha venduto cara la pelle.

Common

"Vendere fumo"

— To deceive people by promising things that are not real or useful; to talk hot air.

Quel venditore sta solo vendendo fumo.

Common

"Vendere la pelle dell'orso prima di averlo ucciso"

— To count your chickens before they hatch; to celebrate a success before it's certain.

Non festeggiare ancora, non vendere la pelle dell'orso!

Common

"Vendersi l'anima al diavolo"

— To compromise one's principles or integrity for money or power.

Si è venduto l'anima al diavolo per quella promozione.

Literary

"Vendere ghiaccio agli eschimesi"

— To be a very persuasive salesperson; to sell something to someone who doesn't need it.

È così bravo che potrebbe vendere ghiaccio agli eschimesi.

Informal

"Vendersi come il pane"

— To sell very quickly and easily (like hot cakes).

Il nuovo iPhone si vende come il pane.

Informal

"Farsi vendere"

— To be easily fooled or to be 'sold' on a bad idea.

Si è fatto vendere una macchina rotta.

Informal

"Vendere a peso d'oro"

— To sell something at an extremely high price.

In quel ristorante vendono l'acqua a peso d'oro.

Common

"Vendere per un piatto di lenticchie"

— To sell something valuable for a very small, insignificant price (biblical reference).

Ha venduto il suo talento per un piatto di lenticchie.

Literary

"Sapersi vendere"

— To know how to promote oneself or one's skills effectively.

Per trovare lavoro, devi sapersi vendere bene.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

vendere vs Comprare

Opposite meaning.

Vendere is giving for money; Comprare is getting for money. They are the two sides of the same transaction.

Io vendo, tu compri.

vendere vs Svendere

Similar root.

Vendere is a normal sale; Svendere is a clearance or selling at a very low price, often out of necessity.

Non voglio vendere la mia casa, la devo svendere perché ho debiti.

vendere vs Rivendere

Similar root.

Rivendere means to sell something you previously bought (to resell).

Compro libri usati e poi li rivendo.

vendere vs Spacciare

Related to selling.

Vendere is legal; Spacciare is usually illegal (drugs) or refers to spreading false information.

Vende fiori ma spaccia anche bugie.

vendere vs Cedere

Related to transfer.

Vendere is for money; Cedere can be for money but emphasizes the act of giving up a right or asset.

Ha ceduto il posto sul bus (gave up the seat - no money).

Structures de phrases

[Subject] + vendere + [Object]

Io vendo la bici.

Vendere + [Object] + a + [Price]

Vendo il pane a due euro.

Ho venduto + [Object]

Ho venduto la mia vecchia borsa.

Venderò + [Object] + [Time]

Venderò la casa domani.

Si vende + [Subject]

Si vende molto pane qui.

Vendere + [Object] + a + [Person]

Vendo il mio segreto a te.

Vendersi + a + [Noun]

Si è venduto al nemico.

Vendere + [Abstract Noun]

Vendere speranza è il suo lavoro.

Famille de mots

Noms

vendita (sale)

venditore (seller - male)

venditrice (seller - female)

venduto (the sold item/person)

svendita (clearance sale)

Verbes

svendere (to sell off)

rivendere (to resell)

vendersi (to sell oneself)

Adjectifs

vendibile (sellable)

venduto (sold)

invenduto (unsold)

Apparenté

mercato (market)

prezzo (price)

commercio (trade)

negozio (shop)

cliente (customer)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation, commerce, and news.

Erreurs courantes

Io vendi la macchina. → Io vendo la macchina.
The first person singular ending for -ere verbs is -o, not -i.
Ho vendato il mio libro. → Ho venduto il mio libro.
The past participle of vendere is irregular in its ending pattern compared to -are verbs; it ends in -uto.
Vendo il pane per due euro. → Vendo il pane a due euro.
While 'per' is sometimes used, 'a' is the standard preposition for price in Italian.
Loro vendano frutta. → Loro vendono frutta.
The third person plural ending for -ere verbs is -ono, not -ano (which is for -are verbs).
Mi sono venduto la bici. → Ho venduto la mia bici.
Unless you are using the 'si' for emphasis or interest, 'vendere' is not typically reflexive for simple sales.

Astuces

Past Participle Ending

Always use -uto for the past participle of -ere verbs like vendere. Memory hook: Vend-UTO.

Opposites

Learn 'vendere' and 'comprare' together as a pair. It helps anchor the meaning in your mind.

Market Shouting

In Italian markets, vendors often drop the subject and just shout 'Vendo [Item]!' to be faster.

Classified Ads

If you see 'Vendesi', it is singular. If you see 'Vendonsi', it is plural (though 'Vendesi' is often used for both informally).

Price Preposition

Always use 'a' for the price. 'Lo vendo A dieci euro'. Using 'per' is also okay but 'a' is more common.

Bear Skin

Remember the bear skin idiom to sound very native when someone is being too optimistic.

Formal Sales

In a contract, look for 'cedente' (seller) and 'acquirente' (buyer) instead of 'venditore'.

Vowel Clarity

The 'e' in 'vendere' is open. Make sure you hear all three syllables clearly.

Vending Connection

Associate 'vendere' with 'vending machine'. It is the machine that sells things!

Abstract Sales

Don't be afraid to use 'vendere' for ideas. Italians do this all the time in professional settings.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a VENDOR in a VENDING machine who is there to VENDERE (sell) snacks.

Association visuelle

Imagine a bright red 'SOLD' sign (Venduto) on a house. The 'V' in Venduto looks like a checkmark for a successful sale.

Word Web

Vendere Venditore Vendita Venduto Svendere Rivendere Punto vendita Contratto

Défi

Try to find three items in your room and say 'Vendo questo/a [item] a [price] euro' for each one.

Origine du mot

From the Latin verb 'vendere', which is a contraction of 'venum dare'.

Sens originel : 'Venum dare' literally means 'to give for sale' (venum = sale, dare = to give).

Indo-European > Italic > Latino-Faliscan > Latin > Romance > Italian.

Contexte culturel

Be careful with 'spacciare' (to sell drugs) and 'vendersi' (to sell oneself), as they can be very offensive or imply criminal activity.

English speakers might find the 'si passivante' (Vendesi) strange at first, as English uses 'For Sale' instead of a verb form.

The play 'Morte di un commesso viaggiatore' (Death of a Salesman) by Arthur Miller. The song 'Venderò' by Edoardo Bennato, a famous Italian rock song. The concept of the 'Mercante di Venezia' (Merchant of Venice) by Shakespeare.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the Market

A quanto vende le mele?
Vende anche verdura?
Oggi vendiamo tutto a un euro!
È l'ultimo che mi è rimasto da vendere.

Real Estate

Voglio vendere la mia casa.
L'appartamento è in vendita da mesi.
Abbiamo venduto l'ufficio.
A che prezzo volete vendere?

Online Classifieds

Vendo per inutilizzo.
Non vendo separatamente.
Prezzo non trattabile, vendo subito.
Vendo causa trasloco.

Business Meeting

Dobbiamo vendere più unità questo mese.
Il prodotto si vende da solo.
Chi è il responsabile delle vendite?
Dobbiamo vendere l'idea al cliente.

Idiomatic Conversation

Non vendermi fumo!
Ha venduto cara la pelle.
Si vende come il pane.
Non vendere la pelle dell'orso.

Amorces de conversation

"Hai mai venduto qualcosa su internet? Cosa era?"

"Preferisci vendere le tue cose vecchie o regalarle agli amici?"

"Pensi che sia facile vendere una casa in questo periodo?"

"Qual è la cosa più strana che hai visto vendere in un mercato?"

"Se dovessi vendere tutto e trasferirti, dove andresti a vivere?"

Sujets d'écriture

Descrivi un oggetto che hai venduto in passato. Perché lo hai venduto e come ti sei sentito?

Scrivi un annuncio per vendere la tua macchina immaginaria. Usa molti aggettivi.

Rifletti sul significato di 'vendersi l'anima'. Cosa significa per te nel mondo di oggi?

Immagina di essere un venditore in un mercato medievale. Cosa vendi e come attiri i clienti?

Pensi che sia meglio comprare cose nuove o vendere e comprare cose usate? Perché?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, 'vendere' is a regular second-conjugation verb ending in -ere. It follows the standard pattern for all its tenses, making it easy to conjugate once you know the -ere endings.

The past participle is 'venduto'. For example, 'Ho venduto la mia borsa' (I sold my bag). Do not confuse it with 'vendato', which is incorrect.

It uses 'avere' because it is a transitive verb (it takes a direct object). For example: 'Abbiamo venduto i biglietti'.

You can say 'in vendita' or use the impersonal form 'Vendesi'. You will see 'Vendesi' on signs for houses or cars.

It literally means 'to sell smoke', but idiomatically it means to deceive someone or to sell something that has no real value, like 'selling hot air'.

Yes, 'vendersi' exists. It can mean 'to sell oneself' (metaphorically) or it can be used in the passive sense 'si vende' (it is sold).

'Vendere' is a standard sale at a fair price. 'Svendere' means to sell something at a very low price, often during a clearance or when someone is desperate.

You say 'Te lo vendo'. 'Te' is the indirect object (to you) and 'lo' is the direct object (it).

While 'vendere' can be used, 'spacciare' is the specific verb used for selling illegal drugs.

A 'venditore' is a seller or a salesman. The feminine form is 'venditrice'.

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