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B1 verb 12 min read

concedere

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips concedere in 30 Seconds

Explanation concedere in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use 'concedere' very often, as simpler verbs like 'dare' (to give) are more common. However, you can start to understand it in basic contexts of 'giving' something special. For example, if a teacher gives you five minutes of extra time, they are 'concedendo' that time. You will mostly see it in the past participle 'concesso' on signs or in simple sentences about treats. It is good to recognize that it means a more formal way of giving or allowing something. Think of it as 'giving permission' in a polite way.

At the A2 level, you should begin to use 'concedere' in the context of simple permissions and small treats. You might use the reflexive form 'concedersi' to talk about your hobbies or relaxing. For example: 'Nel fine settimana mi concedo un dolce' (On the weekend I treat myself to a dessert). You will also encounter it in sports news or when talking about rules. At this stage, focusing on the irregular past participle 'concesso' is important so you don't make mistakes when using the 'passato prossimo'. You are moving beyond just 'dare' to more specific types of giving.

At the B1 level, 'concedere' becomes a key vocabulary word for expressing formal requests and granting rights. You should be able to use it in professional settings, such as asking for a day off or a deadline extension. You will also use it in debates to 'concede' a point to your opponent ('Ti concedo che hai ragione su questo'). You should understand the difference between 'concedere' and 'permettere' and start using 'concedere' to sound more formal and precise. This level requires you to handle the verb in various tenses, including the future and the conditional.

At the B2 level, you use 'concedere' with confidence in complex sentences and abstract contexts. You understand its legal and bureaucratic nuances, such as 'concedere la cittadinanza' (to grant citizenship). You are also familiar with its use in literature and journalism to describe power dynamics. You can use the subjunctive mood after 'concedere' when it introduces a hypothetical concession ('Concedendo che il piano funzioni...'). Your usage of the reflexive 'concedersi' also expands to include more metaphorical meanings, like 'giving oneself over' to an emotion or an idea.

At the C1 level, you master the rhetorical and stylistic uses of 'concedere'. You can use it to structure sophisticated arguments, using it to temporarily agree with an opponent before presenting a counter-argument. You understand the historical and etymological weight of the word, and you can distinguish it from near-synonyms like 'accordare' or 'elargire' based on very subtle differences in register and intent. You are comfortable with all irregular forms and can use it in passive constructions and complex relative clauses without hesitation. It becomes a tool for elegance in both writing and speaking.

At the C2 level, 'concedere' is used with the precision of a native speaker in the most formal or academic contexts. You can analyze its use in classical Italian literature and legal statutes. You understand how the meaning shifts slightly in philosophical discourse, where 'concedere' might mean 'to posit' or 'to assume for the sake of argument'. You can use the word to convey irony, authority, or deep humility. There are no grammatical or contextual limits to your use of the word, and you can effortlessly switch between its many meanings, from granting a royal pardon to the reflexive indulgence of a fleeting thought.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

concedere in 30 Seconds

Concedere means to grant, allow, or admit. It is used in formal, legal, and personal contexts.
The past participle is concesso, which is irregular and very common in signs and official documents.
The reflexive form concedersi means to treat oneself or to indulge in something pleasant.
It is a B1-level verb that adds a touch of formality and precision to your Italian vocabulary.

The Italian verb concedere is a sophisticated and multifaceted term that primarily translates to "to grant," "to allow," or "to concede." At its core, it involves the act of giving something that is not necessarily required but is provided as a gesture of authority, kindness, or agreement. Unlike the simple verb dare (to give), concedere implies a certain level of formality or a hierarchical relationship where one party has the power to bestow a privilege upon another. It is deeply rooted in the idea of permission and the recognition of a right or a request.

Legal and Official Contexts: In bureaucratic or legal settings, concedere is used when an authority grants a permit, a citizenship, or a pardon. It suggests a formal process where a request has been evaluated and approved.

Il governo ha deciso di concedere l'amnistia ai prigionieri politici per celebrare la festa nazionale.

Personal Indulgence: The reflexive form, concedersi, is frequently used when someone allows themselves a luxury, a break, or a moment of pleasure. It carries a sense of 'treating oneself' after hard work or stress.

Beyond these uses, concedere is also pivotal in debates and sports. In an argument, to concedere un punto means to acknowledge that the opponent is right about a specific detail. In sports, particularly football, a referee might concedere un calcio di rigore (grant a penalty kick). This versatility makes it a B1-level essential; it bridges the gap between basic daily communication and more nuanced, professional, or literary Italian. The word carries an inherent weight of respect and recognition, whether you are granting a favor to a friend or a judge is granting a stay of execution.

Dopo una lunga discussione, ha dovuto concedere che le mie ragioni erano valide.

Nuance of Yielding: There is also a subtle sense of 'yielding' or 'surrendering' ground. If a general concede il passo, he is allowing the enemy to proceed or stepping aside. This physical movement is less common today but survives in metaphorical expressions regarding status and priority.

Non posso concedere altro tempo per la consegna del progetto; la scadenza è tassativa.

In summary, concedere is about the transfer of rights, time, or validation from one who possesses it to one who seeks it. It is the language of kings, judges, bosses, and individuals who value their time and boundaries. Mastering this word allows you to navigate Italian social hierarchies and formal documents with much greater ease and precision.

Mi ha concesso l'onore di accompagnarla al ballo, un gesto che non dimenticherò mai.

Dobbiamo concedere che il piano originale era troppo ambizioso per le nostre risorse attuali.

Using concedere correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature and its common prepositional patterns. The most frequent structure is concedere qualcosa a qualcuno (to grant something to someone). Because it is a verb of 'giving,' the indirect object is almost always introduced by the preposition a. This structure remains consistent across various tenses, though you must remember that the past participle is the irregular concesso.

Direct and Indirect Objects: When the objects are pronouns, they often combine. For example, 'He grants it to me' becomes 'Me lo concede.' This follows the standard Italian rules for double object pronouns.

Il direttore concederà un colloquio a tutti i candidati meritevoli la prossima settimana.

The Subjunctive with Concedere: When concedere is used in the sense of 'allowing that' or 'assuming that' in a hypothetical or formal statement, it often triggers the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause. For instance, 'Concedendo che sia vero...' (Granting/Assuming that it may be true...).

In the reflexive form concedersi, the verb behaves like other reflexive verbs, requiring the auxiliary essere in compound tenses. 'Mi sono concesso un gelato' (I treated myself to an ice cream) is a classic example. Here, the 'self' is the recipient of the action. It is a very common way to express self-care or breaking a rule/diet in a lighthearted way. It can also be used in a more romantic or poetic sense, meaning 'to give oneself' to a person or a cause.

Ogni tanto è necessario concedersi un fine settimana di totale relax in campagna.

Passive Voice Usage: Because it is a transitive verb, concedere is frequently used in the passive voice, especially in news reports and formal documents. 'Il prestito è stato concesso' (The loan has been granted) is a standard phrase in banking.

Nonostante le difficoltà, ci è stato concesso il permesso di costruire la nuova ala del museo.

Ti concedo solo cinque minuti per spiegare la tua versione dei fatti.

In conversational Italian, you might hear 'Concedimelo!' which means 'Grant me this!' or 'Allow me this!' often used when someone is asking for a small favor or for the other person to agree with a specific point during a friendly debate. It adds a touch of charm and rhetorical flair to the request. Furthermore, in the realm of music and art, 'concedere il bis' is the standard way to say 'to give an encore,' which literally means 'to grant the second time.'

L'attore ha deciso di concedere un'intervista esclusiva solo alla nostra rivista.

Non posso concederti questo sconto senza l'autorizzazione del mio superiore.

If you find yourself in Italy, you will encounter concedere in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the mundane to the highly prestigious. One of the most common places to hear it is on the evening news (il telegiornale). Journalists often use it when reporting on government decisions, such as 'Il Ministro ha concesso un'intervista' (The Minister granted an interview) or 'L'Unione Europea ha concesso i fondi' (The EU has granted the funds). It sets a tone of officiality and importance.

The World of Sports: If you are a fan of calcio (soccer), you will hear the commentators shout 'L'arbitro concede il rigore!' whenever a penalty is awarded. Here, the referee is the authority figure 'granting' the opportunity to score. You might also hear it when a team 'concedes' a goal (concedere un gol), though 'subire un gol' is also common.

Il portiere non ha concesso nulla agli avversari durante tutta la partita.

In the Office: In a professional environment, your boss might use concedere when discussing holidays or flexible working hours. 'Ti concedo il venerdì pomeriggio libero' (I'll grant you Friday afternoon off) sounds more formal and decisive than simply saying 'Puoi andare'. It emphasizes that the boss is making a specific allowance.

In the arts, particularly at the end of a concert, the audience might chant for a 'bis' (encore). If the artist returns to the stage, the reviewer the next day will write: 'L'artista ha concesso ben tre bis' (The artist granted as many as three encores). This suggests that the artist did so out of generosity and respect for the fans' enthusiasm. You will also see the word in academic settings, where a professor might 'concedere una proroga' (grant an extension) for an essay deadline.

Il professore mi ha concesso una proroga di due giorni per finire la tesi.

Social and Romantic Contexts: In older films or literature, a lady might concedere un ballo (grant a dance) to a suitor. While this specific usage is rare today, the concept of 'concedere il proprio tempo' (granting one's time) remains a way to express that someone's attention is valuable and not given lightly.

Si è concessa un momento di riflessione prima di rispondere alla domanda difficile.

Lastly, in the world of advertising and luxury, you'll see slogans like 'Concediti il meglio' (Treat yourself to the best). This uses the imperative reflexive form to encourage consumers to indulge in high-quality products. Whether you are reading a legal contract, watching a football match, or browsing a luxury catalog, concedere is a word that signals quality, authority, and the special nature of what is being given.

L'azienda ha deciso di concedere un premio di produzione a tutti i dipendenti.

Non mi concedo mai distrazioni quando sto studiando per un esame importante.

One of the most frequent hurdles for English speakers learning concedere is the irregular past participle. While most -ere verbs might tempt you to follow a regular pattern, concedere does not become 'conceduto' in standard modern Italian. Although 'conceduto' exists in archaic texts, using it today will mark you as a non-native or someone using very outdated language. The correct form is always concesso.

Confusion with 'Permettere': Students often confuse concedere with permettere (to permit/allow). While they are synonyms, permettere is more general. You 'permettere' someone to enter a room, but you 'concedere' a formal permit. Use concedere when there is a sense of bestowing a gift or a right.

Errore: Ho conceduto il mio tempo. Corretto: Ho concesso il mio tempo.

Preposition Pitfalls: Another common error involves the preposition a. Since 'grant' in English doesn't always require 'to' (e.g., 'He granted me a favor'), learners often forget the a in Italian. It must be 'ha concesso un favore a me' or 'mi ha concesso un favore'. Never omit the indirect object marker.

Misusing the reflexive form concedersi is also common. Remember that when you use the reflexive, the auxiliary verb for compound tenses must be essere. Say 'Mi sono concesso' (I granted myself), not 'Mi ho concesso'. This is a rule that applies to all reflexive verbs in Italian, but it's easy to forget when you're focused on the meaning of the verb itself.

Errore: Mi ho concesso un lusso. Corretto: Mi sono concesso un lusso.

Meaning Overlap: Concedere vs. Ammettere: In the sense of 'admitting' something is true, concedere is more formal than ammettere. If you use concedere in a very casual conversation where ammettere would suffice, you might sound slightly pretentious or overly dramatic.

Devo concedere che la tua idea è migliore della mia (Formal/Elegant). Devo ammettere che hai ragione (Common/Daily).

Lastly, be careful with the word 'concessione'. While it is the noun form of concedere, in Italian it is often used in technical contexts like 'concessione edilizia' (building permit) or 'concessione balneare' (beach resort license). Learners sometimes use it where 'permesso' or 'favore' would be more appropriate. Always consider the level of formality before choosing concedere over its simpler counterparts.

Non concedere troppa confidenza agli estranei finché non li conosci bene.

Il giudice ha concesso le attenuanti generiche all'imputato durante il processo.

To truly master concedere, it is helpful to understand how it relates to other Italian verbs that express giving or allowing. While concedere is often the best choice for formal or significant actions, other words might be more suitable in different contexts. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker and choose the right register for every situation.

Concedere vs. Accordare: Both mean 'to grant,' but accordare is often used for things that require agreement or harmony, like a loan or a favor. Concedere is more about the unilateral act of an authority giving something. You 'accord' a piano (tune it) or 'accord' a request, but you 'concede' a right.

La banca mi ha accordato il prestito. (Focus on the agreement). Il re ha concesso la grazia. (Focus on the authority).

Concedere vs. Permettere: Permettere is the everyday word for 'to let' or 'to allow.' It is used for simple permissions. Concedere is more formal and implies that what is being allowed is a privilege or a formal exception.

In the context of 'admitting' a point in a debate, ammettere and riconoscere are the primary alternatives. Ammettere is straightforward ('I admit it'), while riconoscere implies a deeper realization or recognition of the truth. Concedere in this context suggests that you are 'giving' the point to the other person as a rhetorical move.

Ti concedo che la situazione è complicata, ma dobbiamo agire. (Rhetorical yield).

Concedere vs. Elargire: Elargire means to give generously or lavishly, often used for money or tips. It has a sense of abundance. Concedere is more about the act of allowing or granting, regardless of the amount.

Il mecenate elargisce borse di studio. (Generous giving). L'università concede la borsa di studio. (Formal granting).

For reflexive uses, concedersi is unique in its nuance of self-indulgence. While permettersi (to afford) is similar, permettersi often relates to financial ability ('Non posso permettermi questa macchina'), whereas concedersi relates to giving oneself permission for pleasure ('Mi concedo un bagno caldo'). By choosing the right word from this set, you demonstrate a high level of linguistic control and emotional intelligence in Italian.

Dobbiamo riconoscere che hanno lavorato sodo, anche se non abbiamo concesso loro il premio finale.

Non concedere nulla al caso quando organizzi un evento così importante.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root 'cedere' is one of the most productive in the Italian language, giving us words like 'succedere' (to happen/succeed), 'procedere' (to proceed), and 'eccedere' (to exceed).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /konˈtʃɛ.de.re/

US /konˈtʃɛ.de.re/

The primary stress is on the second syllable: con-CÈ-de-re.

Rhymes With

vedere sedere cadere credere succedere procedere possedere chiedere

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (CÒN-cedere).
Pronouncing the 'c' as a hard 'k' (kon-ke-de-re).
Failing to roll the 'r' at the end.
Making the 'e' sounds too much like 'ay' as in 'play'.
Confusing it with 'concedere' (English 'concede') by using English vowel sounds.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in newspapers and signs, but requires understanding the irregular past participle.

Writing 4/5

Conjugation is mostly regular except for the past participle 'concesso'.

Speaking 3/5

Useful for formal requests and polite conversation.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognized once you know the 'che' sound in the middle.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dare permettere dire volere potere

Learn Next

accordare elargire ammettere riconoscere autorizzare

Advanced

clemenza proroga attenuanti indulto asilo

Grammar to Know

Irregular Past Participle

Il verbo concedere usa 'concesso' e non 'conceduto' nel passato prossimo.

Reflexive Auxiliary

I verbi riflessivi come 'concedersi' usano sempre 'essere' (Mi sono concesso).

Indirect Object Pronouns

Si usa 'mi', 'ti', 'gli/le' per indicare a chi viene concesso qualcosa (Gli concedo un premio).

Subjunctive after Concedere

Usato quando si esprime una concessione ipotetica: 'Concedo che tu sia stanco'.

Passive Voice with Venire

Spesso usato in contesti formali: 'Mi venne concesso l'onore di parlare'.

Examples by Level

Il papà mi concede dieci minuti di gioco.

Dad gives me ten minutes of play.

Simple present tense with indirect object 'mi'.

La maestra ha concesso un premio alla classe.

The teacher granted a prize to the class.

Passato prossimo with irregular past participle 'concesso'.

Mi concedo un piccolo regalo oggi.

I treat myself to a small gift today.

Reflexive form 'concedersi' in the present tense.

Non è concesso fumare in questo ufficio.

Smoking is not allowed in this office.

Passive construction using 'concesso' as an adjective/participle.

Ti concedo un favore se mi aiuti.

I grant you a favor if you help me.

Present tense used for a conditional promise.

Il portiere ha concesso un gol.

The goalkeeper conceded a goal.

Sports context usage in the past tense.

L'insegnante concede il permesso di uscire.

The teacher grants permission to go out.

Transitive use with a direct object 'il permesso'.

Mi hanno concesso uno sconto del dieci per cento.

They granted me a ten percent discount.

Third person plural passato prossimo.

Ogni domenica mi concedo una lunga passeggiata.

Every Sunday I allow myself a long walk.

Reflexive present tense for a habitual action.

Il direttore ha concesso un giorno di ferie a Marco.

The director granted a day off to Marco.

Direct object 'un giorno' and indirect object 'a Marco'.

L'arbitro non ha concesso il calcio di rigore.

The referee did not grant the penalty kick.

Negative construction in the passato prossimo.

Vi concediamo di usare la nostra macchina per il viaggio.

We allow you to use our car for the trip.

Present tense with indirect object pronoun 'vi'.

Mi sono concesso un po' di riposo dopo il lavoro.

I treated myself to some rest after work.

Reflexive passato prossimo with auxiliary 'essere'.

Il comune ha concesso lo spazio per la mostra d'arte.

The municipality granted the space for the art exhibition.

Official context usage.

Non posso concederti altro tempo per l'esame.

I cannot grant you more time for the exam.

Modal verb 'potere' followed by the infinitive 'concedere'.

Gli è stato concesso il visto per l'Italia.

He was granted a visa for Italy.

Passive voice in the passato prossimo.

Il sindaco ha deciso di concedere un'intervista alla stampa.

The mayor decided to grant an interview to the press.

Infinitive after the verb 'decidere di'.

Ti concedo che la tua proposta è interessante, ma è costosa.

I grant you that your proposal is interesting, but it is expensive.

Used as a rhetorical concession in an argument.

L'azienda non concede proroghe per il pagamento delle fatture.

The company does not grant extensions for the payment of invoices.

Plural direct object 'proroghe'.

Dovresti concederti una vacanza dopo questo progetto.

You should treat yourself to a vacation after this project.

Reflexive infinitive with the modal verb 'dovere'.

Il re concesse la grazia al condannato.

The king granted a pardon to the condemned man.

Passato remoto (historical past) of 'concedere'.

Mi conceda di dissentire da quanto è stato appena detto.

Allow me to disagree with what has just been said.

Formal imperative (Lei form) using the subjunctive.

Hanno concesso il bis dopo le insistenti richieste del pubblico.

They granted an encore after the insistent requests of the audience.

Idiomatic use of 'concedere il bis'.

La legge concede ai cittadini il diritto di sciopero.

The law grants citizens the right to strike.

Formal legal usage.

L'imputato sperava che il giudice gli concedesse le attenuanti.

The defendant hoped the judge would grant him mitigating circumstances.

Imperfect subjunctive after a verb of hope.

Non possiamo concedere nulla all'avversario in questa fase della gara.

We cannot concede anything to the opponent at this stage of the competition.

Competitive context usage.

Si è concessa interamente alla carriera, trascurando la vita privata.

She gave herself entirely to her career, neglecting her private life.

Reflexive 'concedersi' used in a metaphorical, absolute sense.

Il governo ha concesso incentivi fiscali per le energie rinnovabili.

The government has granted tax incentives for renewable energy.

Bureaucratic and economic terminology.

Concedendo che tu abbia ragione, come pensi di risolvere il problema?

Granting that you are right, how do you plan to solve the problem?

Gerund followed by the subjunctive 'abbia'.

L'autore ha concesso i diritti per la trasposizione cinematografica del libro.

The author granted the rights for the film adaptation of the book.

Legal/Intellectual property context.

La struttura architettonica non concede spazio a decorazioni superflue.

The architectural structure allows no space for superfluous decorations.

Used to describe design or physical limits.

Mi sono concesso il lusso di spegnere il telefono per tutto il weekend.

I treated myself to the luxury of turning off the phone for the whole weekend.

Reflexive usage for a personal boundary.

La critica ha dovuto concedere che l'opera possiede una forza espressiva notevole.

The critics had to concede that the work possesses a remarkable expressive force.

Formal critical usage with the indicative.

Non è saggio concedere troppa confidenza a chi si conosce da poco.

It is not wise to grant too much confidence (familiarity) to those one has known for a short time.

Usage in the sense of giving trust or familiarity.

Il trattato prevede che vengano concesse zone di libero scambio.

The treaty provides for the granting of free trade zones.

Passive subjunctive in a formal legal clause.

Si concedeva spesso a lunghi monologhi interiori durante le sue solitarie camminate.

He often indulged in long interior monologues during his solitary walks.

Imperfect reflexive for a psychological habit.

La brevità della vita non ci concede di sprecare tempo in attività futili.

The shortness of life does not allow us to waste time in futile activities.

Philosophical usage with infinitive 'sprecare'.

Benché gli fosse stato concesso l'asilo politico, si sentiva ancora in pericolo.

Although he had been granted political asylum, he still felt in danger.

Passive past subjunctive after 'benché'.

L'oratore ha saputo concedere il giusto peso a ogni argomento trattato.

The speaker knew how to grant the right weight to every topic discussed.

Metaphorical use of 'granting weight' to ideas.

Il direttore d'orchestra ha concesso una pausa di riflessione tra i due movimenti.

The conductor allowed a moment of reflection between the two movements.

Artistic and temporal usage.

L'epistemologia moderna non concede più spazio a certe certezze assolute del passato.

Modern epistemology no longer grants space to certain absolute certainties of the past.

Highly academic/philosophical usage.

Si è concesso alla voluttà del momento senza curarsi delle conseguenze future.

He gave himself over to the voluptuousness of the moment without caring for future consequences.

Literary reflexive usage.

La prosa di questo autore non concede nulla alla facilità né al sentimentalismo.

This author's prose concedes nothing to ease nor to sentimentalism.

Stylistic critique meaning the writing is rigorous and difficult.

Qualora mi fosse concesso di esprimere un desiderio, chiederei la pace nel mondo.

If I were granted the chance to make a wish, I would ask for world peace.

Hypothetical construction with 'qualora' and the past subjunctive.

Il sovrano, in un atto di estrema clemenza, concesse che la pena fosse commutata.

The sovereign, in an act of extreme clemency, granted that the sentence be commuted.

Archaic/Formal historical usage with 'che' + subjunctive.

Non possiamo concedere l'assunto di base su cui poggia l'intera vostra teoria.

We cannot grant the basic assumption upon which your entire theory rests.

Logical/Argumentative usage meaning 'to accept as true'.

La natura, nella sua indifferenza, non concede privilegi a nessuna specie.

Nature, in its indifference, grants no privileges to any species.

Philosophical personification of nature.

Egli si concesse un ultimo sguardo malinconico alla casa della sua infanzia.

He allowed himself one last melancholy look at the house of his childhood.

Literary reflexive for a poignant action.

Synonyms

accordare permettere ammettere elargire assegnare dare autorizzare consentire

Antonyms

negare rifiutare proibire revocare

Common Collocations

concedere la grazia

concedere un'intervista

concedere il bis

concedere un rigore

concedersi un lusso

concedere una proroga

concedere il permesso

concedere la parola

concedere attenuanti

concedere spazio

Common Phrases

Concedimelo!

— Allow me this! or Grant me this point!

È stata una bella serata, concedimelo!

Non concedere nulla

— To give no ground or to allow no mistakes.

La difesa non ha concesso nulla all'attacco.

Concedere il beneficio del dubbio

— To give the benefit of the doubt.

Voglio concederti il beneficio del dubbio per questa volta.

Sia concesso dire

— May it be allowed to say (formal way to introduce an opinion).

Sia concesso dire che il risultato è deludente.

Concedere udienza

— To grant an audience (formal meeting).

Il Papa ha concesso udienza ai fedeli.

Concedere la mano

— To grant one's hand (in marriage, archaic).

Il padre concesse la mano della figlia al duca.

Concedere tregua

— To grant a truce or a break.

Il lavoro non mi concede tregua.

Concedersi a qualcuno

— To give oneself to someone (often romantic).

Si è concessa anima e corpo al suo amore.

Concedere credito

— To grant credit or to believe someone.

Non posso concedere credito a queste voci.

Concedere asilo

— To grant asylum.

Molti paesi hanno concesso asilo ai profughi.

Often Confused With

concedere vs condurre

Sounds similar but means 'to lead' or 'to drive'. Conjugation is very different.

concedere vs succedere

Means 'to happen' or 'to succeed'. Also ends in -cedere but has different meanings.

concedere vs cedere

Means 'to give way' or 'to break'. It's the root but lacks the 'granting' nuance.

Idioms & Expressions

"concedere il passo"

— To step aside or to let someone else take the lead.

Il vecchio campione ha concesso il passo al giovane.

metaphorical

"non concedere tregua"

— To be relentless or to not stop.

La pioggia non ha concesso tregua per tutto il giorno.

common

"concedere carta bianca"

— To give someone full authority or 'carte blanche'.

Il capo mi ha concesso carta bianca per il nuovo progetto.

business

"concedersi un capriccio"

— To indulge in a whim or a small desire.

Ogni tanto bisogna concedersi un capriccio.

personal

"concedere l'onore delle armi"

— To show respect to a defeated opponent.

Nonostante la sconfitta, gli hanno concesso l'onore delle armi.

formal/historical

"non concedersi un attimo di respiro"

— To not allow oneself a single moment of rest.

Lavora sempre, non si concede un attimo di respiro.

common

"concedere un'apertura"

— To show a willingness to negotiate or listen.

Il sindacato ha concesso un'apertura al governo.

political

"concedere i propri favori"

— To grant one's sexual or romantic favors (euphemism).

Si diceva che la contessa concedesse i suoi favori a molti.

literary

"concedere il fianco"

— To leave oneself vulnerable to criticism or attack.

Non dobbiamo concedere il fianco alle polemiche.

rhetorical

"concedere un'ultima chance"

— To grant one last chance.

Ti concedo un'ultima chance per rimediare.

informal

Easily Confused

concedere vs permettere

Both mean 'to allow'.

Permettere is general and common. Concedere is formal and implies bestowing a privilege or right. You permit someone to talk, but you grant (concedere) them an interview.

Il padre permette al figlio di uscire. Il re concede la libertà.

concedere vs accordare

Both mean 'to grant'.

Accordare often implies an agreement or tuning (like a piano). Concedere is more about the authority of the giver. Banks 'accordano' loans, but judges 'concedono' pardons.

La banca accorda il prestito. Il giudice concede le attenuanti.

concedere vs dare

Basic meaning of giving.

Dare is the simple act of handing something over. Concedere implies that what is given is a right, a favor, or a special allowance.

Mi dai il pane? Mi concedi un favore?

concedere vs ammettere

Both can mean to admit a point.

Ammettere is standard for admitting a mistake or truth. Concedere is used rhetorically to yield a point in an argument.

Ammetto di aver sbagliato. Ti concedo che la tua idea è valida.

concedere vs elargire

Both involve giving.

Elargire is about generosity and abundance (giving money). Concedere is about permission and rights.

Elargire mance. Concedere permessi.

Sentence Patterns

Soggetto + concede + oggetto + a + persona

Marco concede un gioco a Lucia.

Soggetto + si concede + oggetto

Io mi concedo un caffè.

Soggetto + ha concesso + oggetto

Il capo ha concesso il permesso.

Non è concesso + infinito

Non è concesso fumare qui.

Soggetto + concede + che + congiuntivo

Concedo che lei abbia ragione.

Gerundio + che + congiuntivo

Concedendo che sia vero, cosa facciamo?

Soggetto + si concede + a + sostantivo astratto

Lui si concede alla malinconia.

Sia concesso + infinito

Sia concesso dire che il piano è fallito.

Word Family

Nouns

concessione

concessionario

concedente

Verbs

concedere

riconcedere

Adjectives

concesso

concedibile

concessionario

cedere

accesso

processo

recesso

successo

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in formal writing, news, sports, and certain reflexive expressions.

Common Mistakes

Ho conceduto il permesso. → Ho concesso il permesso.
The past participle of 'concedere' is irregular ('concesso'). 'Conceduto' is archaic.
Mi ho concesso un regalo. → Mi sono concesso un regalo.
Reflexive verbs always use the auxiliary 'essere' in compound tenses.
Il capo ha concesso me una vacanza. → Il capo mi ha concesso una vacanza. / Il capo ha concesso una vacanza a me.
You need an indirect object pronoun or the preposition 'a'.
Concedo che hai ragione. → Concedo che tu abbia ragione.
When 'concedere' means 'to admit' in a formal sense, it often triggers the subjunctive.
Non è concesso di fumare. → Non è concesso fumare.
With impersonal 'è concesso', the infinitive follows directly without 'di'.

Tips

Past Participle

Always remember 'concesso'. Associate it with the English word 'concession' to help you remember the spelling and the 'ss' sound.

Workplace Italian

Use 'concedere' when asking for a favor from a superior. It shows respect for their authority to grant your request.

Treat Yourself

Use 'concedersi' for self-care. It's a beautiful way to describe taking a break or having a treat without sounding too basic.

Debating

Start a counter-argument with 'Ti concedo che...' to show you've listened before you disagree. It makes you sound more intelligent and polite.

Soccer Fans

If you watch Serie A, listen for 'rigore concesso'. It's one of the most debated phrases in Italian sports media!

Official Documents

When you see 'concesso' on a document, it means 'granted' or 'approved'. It's a key word for bureaucracy.

Word Family

Learn 'concessione' alongside 'concedere'. They are used together in many administrative contexts.

Register

Don't over-use 'concedere' in very casual talk with close friends unless you want to be funny or dramatic. 'Dare' is usually enough.

News Reports

Listen for this word in news reports about international relations (e.g., granting aid or asylum).

The 'Cede' Root

Remember that 'concede' in English and 'concedere' in Italian share the same Latin ancestor. They look and act very similarly.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'concession stand' at a stadium. The stadium 'concedes' or 'grants' the stand the right to sell snacks to you. Concedere = Granting a right.

Visual Association

Imagine a king with a quill pen signing a scroll. He is 'concedendo' a pardon. The scroll is the 'concessione'.

Word Web

permesso diritto grazia bis rigore lusso pausa intervista

Challenge

Try to use 'concedersi' in a sentence today about something you will do for yourself. For example: 'Stasera mi concedo un bagno caldo'.

Word Origin

From the Latin verb 'concedere', which is a combination of 'con-' (a prefix meaning 'together' or 'completely') and 'cedere' (to go, to yield, or to withdraw).

Original meaning: Originally meant 'to withdraw completely' or 'to yield up'.

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

Cultural Context

Be aware that 'concedersi' can have sexual connotations in literary or very old-fashioned contexts, though in modern daily Italian, it usually just means 'to treat oneself'.

In English, 'concede' is often used more for admitting defeat. In Italian, 'concedere' is much broader and more frequently used for 'granting' or 'allowing' in a positive or neutral sense.

The Italian Constitution mentions rights that are 'concessi' or 'garantiti'. Dante Alighieri uses variations of 'cedere' and 'concedere' in the Divine Comedy regarding divine grace. Famous Italian opera singers are often described as 'concedendo il bis' at La Scala.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In a restaurant

Mi concede di ordinare?
Ci concede un altro minuto?
Il cameriere ci ha concesso un amaro.
Non è concesso fumare.

At work

Mi concede una proroga?
Il capo mi ha concesso le ferie.
Non concediamo sconti.
Concedere l'accesso ai file.

In a debate

Ti concedo questo punto.
Concedimi di spiegare.
Non posso concedere che sia vero.
Concedendo che tu abbia ragione...

Self-care

Mi concedo un massaggio.
Concediti un momento di pace.
Si è concessa un viaggio.
Dobbiamo concederci una tregua.

Legal/Official

Concedere la cittadinanza.
Concedere il permesso di soggiorno.
Concedere la libertà vigilata.
Concessione edilizia.

Conversation Starters

"Ti concedi mai un momento di relax durante la settimana lavorativa?"

"Pensi che i professori dovrebbero concedere più tempo per gli esami?"

"Qual è l'ultimo lusso che ti sei concesso?"

"Se fossi un arbitro, in quale situazione concederesti un rigore?"

"Ti capita spesso di concedere il beneficio del dubbio alle persone che non conosci?"

Journal Prompts

Descrivi una volta in cui qualcuno ti ha concesso un favore inaspettato e come ti sei sentito.

Quali sono i piaceri della vita che ami concederti più spesso? Perché sono importanti per te?

Rifletti su una discussione recente: c'è un punto che avresti dovuto concedere al tuo interlocutore?

Se avessi il potere di concedere un desiderio a tutto il mondo, quale sarebbe e perché?

Pensi che la società moderna ci conceda abbastanza tempo per riflettere e stare da soli?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In modern Italian, yes. Use 'concesso'. 'Conceduto' is only found in archaic literature and will sound very strange in conversation or modern writing.

Yes, in sports it is very common to say 'concedere un gol' or 'concedere un rigore'. It describes the action of the defense or the referee.

'Mi concedo' means 'I treat myself' (e.g., to a cake). 'Mi permetto' usually means 'I take the liberty' (e.g., to give an opinion: 'Mi permetto di dire...').

Yes, when it means 'to admit that' or 'to assume that' in a formal or hypothetical sense (e.g., 'Concedo che tu abbia ragione').

You can say 'esaudire un desiderio' or 'concedere un desiderio'. 'Esaudire' is more common for the wish actually coming true, while 'concedere' is the act of the granter.

Yes, a 'concessione' is a license or franchise granted by the state or a company, like a car dealership (concessionaria).

Io concedo, tu concedi, lui/lei concede, noi concediamo, voi concedete, loro concedono.

Absolutely. 'Concedere tempo' or 'concedere una proroga' (grant an extension) are very common in professional settings.

It means to perform an encore. 'Bis' is Latin for 'twice'. Musicians 'grant' the second performance to the audience.

Yes, it is a B1 level word, meaning it's essential for intermediate speakers, especially for formal and professional communication.