Overview
The Italian verb 'invocare' directly translates to 'to invoke' or 'to call upon.' It carries a strong connotation of seeking assistance, guidance, or presence from a higher power, a spirit, a deity, or even a person. The nuance of 'invocare' often implies a formal, earnest, or even desperate plea.
Etymology: The word comes from the Latin 'invocare,' which is composed of 'in-' (into, towards) and 'vocare' (to call). This etymology perfectly encapsulates the core meaning of calling something or someone towards oneself, typically for a specific purpose.
Common Usages and Contexts:
- 1Religious/Spiritual Context: This is perhaps the most common and direct application. When someone 'invoca Dio' (invokes God) or 'invoca gli spiriti' (invokes spirits), they are actively petitioning or summoning these entities. This can occur in prayer, ritual, or moments of intense need or awe. For example, 'I fedeli invocarono l'aiuto divino' (The faithful invoked divine help).
- 1Legal/Formal Context: 'Invocare' can also be used in a more formal or legal sense to refer to citing or appealing to a law, a right, a principle, or a precedent. For instance, 'L'avvocato ha invocato l'articolo X della costituzione' (The lawyer invoked Article X of the constitution) means the lawyer cited or appealed to that specific article to support their argument. Similarly, one might 'invocare un diritto' (invoke a right) to assert it.
- 1Figurative/Literary Context: In a more poetic or figurative sense, 'invocare' can be used to describe calling upon something abstract, like inspiration, courage, or a muse. 'L'artista invocò la musa per trovare l'ispirazione' (The artist invoked the muse to find inspiration). It can also be used to express a strong desire or a longing for something to appear or happen, such as 'invocare la pace' (to invoke peace) meaning to strongly desire and call for peace.
- 1Negative Connotations (Less Common): While generally neutral or positive in its primary senses, 'invocare' can, in certain specific contexts, subtly imply bringing trouble or ill fortune upon oneself or others, particularly if one is 'invocando il male' (invoking evil) or 'invocando la sfortuna' (invoking bad luck) through careless actions or words, though this is less frequent.
Conjugation (Present Tense - Indicative):
- io invoco (I invoke)
- tu invochi (you invoke - informal singular)
- lui/lei/Lei invoca (he/she/You invoke - formal singular)
- noi invochiamo (we invoke)
- voi invocate (you invoke - plural)
- loro invocano (they invoke)
Examples in Sentences:
- 'In un momento di disperazione, la donna invocò il nome di sua madre.' (In a moment of desperation, the woman called upon her mother's name.)
- 'Durante la cerimonia, il sacerdote invocò le benedizioni divine.' (During the ceremony, the priest invoked divine blessings.)
- 'Per giustificare la sua decisione, ha invocato il regolamento interno.' (To justify his decision, he invoked the internal regulations.)
- 'Gli scrittori spesso invocano l'aiuto delle loro muse.' (Writers often invoke the help of their muses.)
Understanding 'invocare' requires grasping its core meaning of earnestly calling upon something or someone, with the specific context providing the precise shade of meaning, whether it's religious, legal, or figurative.
例文
Invocare gli dei pagani è una pratica antica.
religione, storiaTo invoke the pagan gods is an ancient practice.
Il sacerdote invocò lo spirito per chiedere consiglio.
religione, spiritualitàThe priest called upon the spirit for guidance.
Nel suo discorso, ha invocato i principi della giustizia sociale.
politica, retoricaIn his speech, he invoked the principles of social justice.
Gli antichi invocavano le muse per l'ispirazione.
storia, mitologiaThe ancients invoked the Muses for inspiration.
Non si deve invocare il nome di Dio invano.
religione, eticaOne must not invoke the name of God in vain.
よく使う組み合わせ
よく混同される語
文法パターン
使い方
使い方のコツ
The verb 'invocare' in Italian is typically used in formal or semi-formal contexts, often with a sense of gravity or earnestness. It implies a fervent appeal or a solemn request. While it can literally mean to call upon a spirit or deity, it also has broader applications. For example, one might 'invocare l'aiuto divino' (invoke divine help), 'invocare la giustizia' (invoke justice), or 'invocare un diritto' (invoke a right). In legal settings, a lawyer might 'invocare una legge' (invoke a law) to support their argument. It's less common in casual conversation for simple requests. When referring to calling out a person's name, 'chiamare' is the more appropriate verb. 'Invocare' suggests a deeper, more significant appeal, often in situations of need, argument, or profound expression. It's important to differentiate it from 'evocare,' which often implies bringing something to mind or conjuring an image, rather than calling upon for assistance or justification.
よくある間違い
One common mistake is confusing 'invocare' with 'evocare.' While both involve calling forth, 'invocare' specifically implies calling upon for assistance or presence, often in a spiritual or formal context (like invoking a rule or a spirit). 'Evocare,' on the other hand, means to evoke, recall, or summon, often in a more general sense, like evoking a memory or summoning a ghost (which might be less about assistance and more about presence). Another mistake can be using it too broadly for any 'calling.' It's best reserved for situations with a more formal, spiritual, or legal/authoritative connotation, rather than just 'calling a friend.'
ヒント
Usage Note
Common Misconception
Example in Context
語源
The Italian verb 'invocare' meaning 'to invoke,' particularly in the sense of calling upon a spirit or deity for assistance, has a rich and ancient etymological history, tracing its roots back to classical Latin. The word is directly derived from the Latin verb 'invocare,' which itself is a compound formed from the prefix 'in-' and the verb 'vocare.' The prefix 'in-' in Latin is highly versatile and can convey several meanings, including 'into,' 'towards,' 'on,' 'against,' or it can serve as an intensifier. In the context of 'invocare,' 'in-' carries the sense of direction or purpose, indicating an action directed 'towards' or 'upon' someone or something. The core of the word, 'vocare,' is a fundamental Latin verb meaning 'to call,' 'to summon,' 'to name,' or 'to invite.' It comes from the Proto-Indo-European root '*wokʷ-' or '*wekʷ-', which also means 'to speak' or 'to say.' This root has given rise to a vast number of words across various Indo-European languages, all related to vocalization, speech, and calling. Therefore, the literal meaning of 'invocare' in Latin is 'to call upon' or 'to summon towards.' This meaning was primarily used in religious, legal, and formal contexts. In religious practice, it referred to the act of calling upon gods, spirits, or divine powers for aid, protection, or intervention. In legal settings, it could mean to appeal to a law or authority. Over time, the religious connotation became particularly prominent. When Latin evolved into the Romance languages, 'invocare' passed directly into Old Italian as 'invocare' or 'invocare.' The meaning remained largely consistent with its Latin original, maintaining the primary sense of appealing to a higher power or person. Throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the word was frequently used in theological texts, hymns, prayers, and literary works. In modern Italian, 'invocare' continues to hold its strong connection to spiritual or formal appeals. While its most common usage still relates to calling upon deities or spirits, it can also be used in a more general sense to mean 'to appeal to' or 'to plead for' in a very earnest or urgent manner, though this usage is less frequent than the religious one. The word carries a sense of solemnity and earnestness, reflecting its ancient origins and consistent usage in contexts of significant importance. In summary, 'invocare' is a direct descendant of the Latin 'invocare,' formed from 'in-' (towards, upon) and 'vocare' (to call). Its history spans millennia, from Proto-Indo-European roots through classical Latin and into modern Italian, consistently denoting the act of earnestly calling upon or summoning, particularly in a spiritual or formal capacity.
文化的な背景
Invocare, in Italian culture, carries strong connotations tied to religious, spiritual, and even literary traditions. Historically, invoking a deity or spirit was a common practice in ancient Roman religion, later evolving within Catholicism through prayers to saints or divine intervention. In a broader sense, it's connected to the idea of seeking higher power or inspiration. Dante Alighieri, for instance, frequently invokes muses or divine aid in his 'Divine Comedy.' Beyond the strictly religious, it can also be used metaphorically in literature or rhetoric, where one 'invokes' a principle, a memory, or an emotion to lend weight or power to their words. This deep-seated cultural history imbues the word with a sense of solemnity, earnestness, and often, a desperate plea for help or guidance from a source perceived as greater than oneself.
覚え方のコツ
Visualize a priest in ancient Rome, 'in-vocare-ing' (calling upon) the gods for a bountiful harvest. The 'in' prefix often means 'into' or 'towards,' and 'vocare' relates to 'voice' or 'calling.' So, literally, it's like speaking 'into' or 'towards' the divine.
よくある質問
4 問自分をテスト
Il sacerdote iniziò a ________ gli antichi dei per la protezione.
Nella sua disperazione, provò a ________ l'aiuto divino.
L'incantesimo richiedeva di ________ gli spiriti della foresta.
スコア: /3
Usage Note
Common Misconception
Example in Context
例文
5 / 5Invocare gli dei pagani è una pratica antica.
To invoke the pagan gods is an ancient practice.
Il sacerdote invocò lo spirito per chiedere consiglio.
The priest called upon the spirit for guidance.
Nel suo discorso, ha invocato i principi della giustizia sociale.
In his speech, he invoked the principles of social justice.
Gli antichi invocavano le muse per l'ispirazione.
The ancients invoked the Muses for inspiration.
Non si deve invocare il nome di Dio invano.
One must not invoke the name of God in vain.
関連コンテンツ
religionの関連語
devoto
C1very loving or loyal
credenza
B1Acceptance that something is true.
croce
B1An upright post with a transverse bar.
venerabile
C1Accorded a great deal of respect.
dio
A2A creator and ruler of the universe
chiesa
B1A building for public Christian worship.
religione
B2The belief in and worship of a superhuman power.
scongiuro
C1a prayer or plea
dogmatico
C1Inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true