considerare

The Italian verb considerare is a versatile and essential pillar of the Italian language, functioning as a primary tool for expressing cognitive deliberation, evaluation, and social perception. At its core, it translates to 'to consider' or 'to think about carefully,' but its semantic range extends far beyond a simple internal thought process. In Italian culture, where nuances of social standing and intellectual rigor are highly valued, considerare serves as the bridge between raw observation and formal judgment. When you use this verb, you are indicating that an object, person, or idea is being subjected to a weightier level of scrutiny than a mere 'pensare' (to think) would suggest. It implies a process of weighing pros and cons, examining evidence, or acknowledging a specific status.

Deliberation

This involves the mental act of looking at all sides of a situation before making a decision. It is the 'thinking it over' phase of any project or life choice.

Beyond simple deliberation, considerare is frequently used to define relationships and social standing. In this context, it takes on the meaning of 'to regard' or 'to view as.' For instance, if you consider someone a friend, you are not just thinking about them; you are assigning them a specific role in your social hierarchy. This usage is vital in professional settings where one might 'consider' a proposal valid or 'consider' a colleague an expert. It moves from the internal mind to the external social reality, establishing definitions that others are expected to acknowledge. It is also deeply tied to the concept of 'considerazione' (esteem), where to consider someone highly is to hold them in high regard.

The verb also plays a crucial role in mathematical and scientific discourse. When setting up a problem, an Italian speaker might say 'Consideriamo un triangolo...' (Let us consider a triangle...). Here, it functions as a directive to focus the mind on a specific hypothetical or theoretical object. This demonstrates the verb's ability to narrow the scope of attention. It is not just about vague thought; it is about intentional, focused observation. Whether you are considering a new job offer, considering the impact of climate change, or considering someone's feelings, you are engaging in an active, purposeful mental effort that Italian speakers recognize as a mark of maturity and intellectual depth.

Regard/Esteem

Using the verb to show how you perceive someone's character or professional worth. It often relates to the level of respect you afford them.

In everyday conversation, you will hear it in the imperative form 'Considera che...' (Consider that... / Keep in mind that...). This is a common way to introduce a caveat or an important piece of information that the listener might have overlooked. It is less aggressive than 'Ricordati che' (Remember that) and more collaborative, inviting the listener to join in the process of evaluation. It suggests a shared intellectual space where both parties are looking at the facts together. This collaborative nuance makes it a favorite in Italian diplomacy and business negotiations, where saving face and maintaining a polite veneer of shared reasoning is paramount.

Hypothetical Analysis

The act of entertaining a possibility or a 'what if' scenario to see where it leads logically.

Mastering considerare requires understanding its various syntactic structures. The most common use is as a transitive verb followed directly by a noun or a pronoun. In this structure, you are simply 'considering' a thing or a person. For example, 'Considero il tuo suggerimento' (I am considering your suggestion). Unlike English, where we sometimes say 'consider doing something,' in Italian, when followed by another verb, we often use 'considerare l'idea di' + infinitive, or simply 'pensare di'. However, the direct object usage remains the most frequent and versatile across all levels of formality.

Direct Object Construction

Subject + Considerare + Direct Object. This is used for simple evaluation or thinking about a specific entity.

A second, very powerful construction is the 'Considerare + Object + Adjective/Noun' pattern. This is equivalent to saying 'to consider someone/something [to be] something.' Note that in Italian, you do not need the word 'come' (as) or 'essere' (to be) in this structure, although 'come' is sometimes added for emphasis. For example, 'Tutti lo considerano un eroe' (Everyone considers him a hero). This is a foundational way to express opinions and social judgments. It is much more common in Italian than the English 'to deem,' which can feel archaic. In Italian, considerare is the standard way to express this sentiment.

Another frequent pattern involves subordinate clauses introduced by 'che' (that). This is used when you want the object of consideration to be a full fact or situation. 'Considerando che il treno è in ritardo, arriveremo tardi' (Considering that the train is late, we will arrive late). Note the use of the gerund 'considerando' here, which is extremely common in Italian to set the scene or provide a reason for a subsequent statement. It functions similarly to 'given that' or 'seeing as' in English, providing a logical baseline for the main clause of the sentence.

The Gerundial Introduction

Using 'considerando' to provide context or a premise. This is a staple of analytical and argumentative Italian.

Finally, we must look at the passive voice and the 'si passivante' construction. In formal documents or news reports, you will often see 'viene considerato' or 'si considera.' For example, 'L'italiano è considerato una lingua musicale' (Italian is considered a musical language). This shifts the focus from who is doing the considering to the reputation of the subject itself. It is the language of objective (or pseudo-objective) fact-stating. When you use considerare this way, you are invoking a general consensus or a widely held belief, which is a key rhetorical strategy in Italian debate and journalism.

Passive/Consensus Usage

Expressing what is generally thought or accepted by a group or society at large.

In Italy, considerare is a word that spans the entire social spectrum, but its frequency and application shift depending on the environment. In the professional and corporate world, it is ubiquitous. During a 'riunione' (meeting), you will hear managers say, 'Dobbiamo considerare l'impatto sul budget' (We must consider the impact on the budget). It is the language of risk assessment and strategic planning. It sounds professional, measured, and serious. If a boss says they are 'considering' your request for a promotion, they are signaling that the process is formal and based on merit, not just a casual 'yes' or 'no'.

Corporate/Business

Used for strategic evaluation, impact analysis, and formal decision-making processes.

In academic and legal contexts, the word is even more prevalent. Professors use it to introduce theories, and lawyers use it to weigh evidence. In a courtroom, a judge might say, 'Considerati i fatti...' (Having considered the facts...). This usage is performative; it establishes the authority of the speaker as someone who has performed the necessary mental labor to reach a conclusion. For students, 'considerare' is a key verb in essay writing to show they are analyzing a text rather than just summarizing it. It is a 'signpost' word that indicates critical thinking is happening.

Moving to everyday social life, the word often appears when people are giving advice or debating. Italians love a good 'discussione', and considerare is a polite way to introduce a counter-argument. Instead of saying 'You're wrong,' one might say, 'Hai considerato che...?' (Have you considered that...?). This frames the disagreement as a missing piece of information rather than a personal failing. It is also used in the context of relationships: 'Non mi consideri mai!' (You never take me into consideration / You never think about my feelings!). Here, it carries an emotional weight, referring to the lack of attention or importance given to someone.

Social/Interpersonal

Used to offer advice, introduce counterpoints, or express feelings of being ignored or valued.

Finally, you will encounter considerare in media and advertising. Advertisements might ask you to 'consider' a new product, while news anchors 'consider' the latest political developments. In these cases, the word is used to create a sense of importance and gravity. It’s not just news; it’s something that demands your 'considerazione'. By using this verb, the media signals that the topic at hand is worthy of the audience's limited mental energy. It elevates the subject matter from the trivial to the significant, making it a powerful tool for framing public discourse.

Media/Public Discourse

Used to frame stories as significant and to prompt the audience to think deeply about a specific issue.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make with considerare is the improper use of prepositions. In English, we often say 'consider doing something' or 'consider about something.' Beginners in Italian often try to translate this literally as 'considerare di fare' or 'considerare su'. However, considerare is a transitive verb and usually takes a direct object. If you want to say 'I am considering buying a car,' you should say 'Sto considerando l'acquisto di un'auto' or 'Sto pensando di comprare un'auto.' Using 'di' directly after considerare is generally incorrect in standard Italian.

The Preposition Trap

Avoid adding 'di', 'a', or 'su' after the verb. Keep it simple: 'Considero [something]'.

Another mistake involves confusing considerare with 'ritenere' or 'pensare' in contexts where the nuances differ. While 'pensare' is a general term for having a thought, considerare requires an object to be analyzed. You can 'pensare' (think) that it will rain, but you 'considerare' (consider) the possibility of rain when planning a picnic. Using considerare for a simple, fleeting thought can make your speech sound unnaturally heavy or overly formal. It’s like using 'to deem' to describe what you want for lunch; it’s just too much linguistic weight for a small topic.

A subtle but common error is the misuse of the 'considerare come' construction. While 'considerare [object] come [noun/adj]' is technically acceptable and used by native speakers for emphasis, the more elegant and standard Italian way is to omit the 'come'. For example, 'Lo considero un amico' is better than 'Lo considero come un amico.' Including 'come' can sometimes make it sound like you are making a comparison rather than a definitive judgment. If you want to sound more native, drop the 'come' and let the verb do the work of linking the object to its description.

The 'Come' Clutter

Native speakers often omit 'come' (as) after 'considerare'. Using it isn't always wrong, but it can be redundant.

Finally, learners often forget the importance of the reflexive form considerarsi. If you want to say 'I consider myself,' you must use the reflexive pronoun. 'Mi considero fortunato' is correct, but 'Considero me fortunato' sounds very clunky and non-native. Reflexive verbs are a huge part of Italian, and considerare is no exception. Similarly, when using the plural 'considerarsi,' it can mean 'to consider each other,' which is a vital distinction in social contexts. 'Si considerano rivali' means 'They consider each other rivals,' not just that they think about rivals.

Reflexive Missteps

Forgetting to use reflexive pronouns when the action of considering is directed back at the speaker or shared between subjects.

To truly master Italian, you need to know when to use considerare and when to opt for one of its many synonyms. Each alternative carries a slightly different 'sapore' (flavor). For example, valutare (to evaluate) is much more analytical and quantitative. You 'valutare' a house before buying it or 'valutare' a student's performance. It implies a specific metric or standard of measurement. Considerare is broader and can include emotional or social factors that valutare might ignore.

Valutare vs. Considerare

'Valutare' is for measurement and assessment; 'considerare' is for general deliberation and perception.

Another important pair is ritenere and reputare. These are very close to considerare when it means 'to deem' or 'to hold an opinion.' Ritenere is often used to express a firm belief or a professional conclusion: 'Ritengo che sia necessario' (I believe/deem it necessary). It sounds slightly more definitive than considerare. Reputare is quite formal and is often used in the context of reputation or merit: 'È reputato un esperto' (He is reputed/considered an expert). Using these words correctly will make your Italian sound more sophisticated and precise.

Then there is esaminare (to examine). This is the word to use when the consideration involves a physical or very detailed inspection. You 'esaminare' a document, a patient, or a crime scene. While considerare happens mostly in the head, esaminare often involves the eyes and a systematic process. If you say you are 'considering' a document, you are thinking about its implications; if you are 'examining' it, you are reading every line carefully. Knowing this distinction helps you describe your actions more accurately to native speakers.

Esaminare vs. Considerare

'Esaminare' is a detailed, often visual or systematic inspection. 'Considerare' is more abstract and deliberative.

Finally, let's look at riflettere su (to reflect on). This is the best choice when the 'considering' is deep, philosophical, or personal. It is often used with 'su' (on). While considerare can be a quick mental check, riflettere implies time and introspection. 'Devo riflettere sulla mia vita' (I need to reflect on my life). If you use considerare here, it sounds like you are making a list of pros and cons for your existence, whereas riflettere sounds like you are engaging in soulful contemplation. Choosing the right verb shows that you understand not just the grammar of Italian, but the emotional and intellectual landscape of the language.

Riflettere vs. Considerare

'Riflettere' is deep, introspective, and usually takes 'su'. 'Considerare' is more objective and direct.