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B2 verb 11 min de leitura

impiegare

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas impiegare em 30 segundos

Explicação impiegare in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use 'impiegare' very often, as it is a bit more advanced. However, you might encounter it when talking about how long it takes to travel. For example, if you are learning how to say 'It takes 10 minutes,' a teacher might introduce 'impiegare'. At this stage, just think of it as a way to say 'to use' or 'to take time.' You don't need to worry about all the complex ways it can be used in business or formal writing. Focus on the simple present tense: 'Io impiego', 'Tu impieghi'. Imagine you are telling a friend how long you spend on your homework. You could say: 'Io impiego un'ora per i compiti.' It is a useful word to start recognizing, especially in its noun form 'impiegato' which means an office worker. If someone asks you what your job is, and you work in an office, you would say 'Sono un impiegato.' This level is all about building the foundation. Don't worry about the 'ci' particle yet. Just remember that 'impiegare' is about using time or being a worker in an office. It is a regular '-are' verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'parlare' or 'mangiare'. Try to use it once or twice when talking about your daily routine to get comfortable with the sound of it.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to build more complex sentences and talk about your past. You will see 'impiegare' more frequently when discussing travel and work. You should learn that it is a transitive verb, meaning it usually has an object (like 'time' or 'money'). You might use it in the past tense (passato prossimo) to say how long a trip took: 'Ho impiegato tre ore per arrivare a Roma.' Notice that we use the auxiliary verb 'avere'. You also begin to see the difference between 'impiegare' and 'usare'. While you 'use' (usi) a spoon, you 'employ' (impieghi) time or effort. This is also a good time to learn the word 'impiego', which means 'employment' or 'job'. You might hear someone say 'Cerco un impiego' (I am looking for a job). At A2, you should also be aware that 'impiegare' can mean 'to hire' in a general sense, although 'assumere' is also common. Practice using 'impiegare' with time expressions like 'un'ora', 'molto tempo', or 'pochi minuti'. This will help you describe your activities more precisely than just using 'fare' (to do). For example, 'Per cucinare la pasta, impiego dieci minuti.' It sounds a bit more 'proper' than just saying 'Ci metto dieci minuti,' which you will learn later is more informal.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more 'standard' Italian and discuss topics like work, environment, and personal goals. 'Impiegare' becomes a very important verb here. You will start using it to discuss resources and energy. For instance, 'Dobbiamo impiegare meno energia elettrica' (We must use less electricity). You will also encounter the pronominal form 'impiegarci'. This is where you add 'ci' to the verb to talk about the time *you* take: 'Quanto ci impieghi?' (How long do you take?). This is a major step in sounding more like a native. At B1, you should also be able to use the future tense to make predictions: 'Il viaggio impiegherà più tempo se piove' (The trip will take more time if it rains). You will also see 'impiegare' in job advertisements or descriptions of professional skills. It's not just about 'having' a job anymore; it's about how you 'employ' your skills. You might say 'Vorrei impiegare le mie conoscenze di lingue nel mio lavoro' (I would like to use my language knowledge in my work). This level requires you to understand the nuance that 'impiegare' suggests a purposeful use of something. It's a key word for discussing efficiency and productivity, which are common B1 topics.

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At the B2 level, which is the official level for this word, you should have a deep understanding of 'impiegare' in all its forms. You should be able to use it fluently in formal letters, business meetings, and academic discussions. You understand that 'impiegare' is the preferred verb for high-register Italian when talking about the allocation of funds, the deployment of personnel, or the strategic use of time. You can distinguish it clearly from 'metterci' (informal time), 'volerci' (general time), and 'usare' (general use). You are comfortable with the passive voice: 'Queste risorse sono state impiegate male' (These resources were used poorly). You also know how to use the gerund 'impiegando' to explain the means by which something is done: 'Impiegando nuove strategie, l'azienda è cresciuta.' At B2, you should also recognize the word in more abstract contexts, such as 'impiegare lo sguardo' (to use one's gaze/look) in literature. You can discuss the labor market using terms like 'piena occupazione' and 'tasso di impiego'. You are also aware of the reflexive 'impiegarsi', meaning to find a position for oneself. Your use of 'impiegare' should feel natural and should help elevate the formality of your speech when necessary, showing that you can adapt your language to the situation.

At the C1 level, you are exploring the stylistic and rhetorical uses of 'impiegare'. You recognize it in high-level journalism, legal documents, and classical literature. You understand that using 'impiegare' instead of 'usare' can change the tone of a sentence from descriptive to analytical. You can use it to talk about the 'employment' of literary devices or philosophical arguments. For example, 'L'autore impiega una metafora per spiegare il dolore.' You are also sensitive to the bureaucratic nuances of the word. In a legal context, 'impiegare' might refer to the specific use of a piece of land or a restricted fund. You can handle complex conditional and subjunctive structures involving the verb: 'Se avessimo impiegato meglio i nostri risparmi, ora saremmo ricchi' (If we had used our savings better, we would be rich now). You understand the historical connection to the Latin 'implicare' (to involve) and how that reflects in the word's modern sense of 'involving' a resource in a task. At C1, your vocabulary is rich enough that 'impiegare' is just one of many tools you use to express the concept of 'utilization' with extreme precision, choosing it specifically when you want to emphasize the structured and intentional nature of the action.

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At the C2 level, 'impiegare' is a word you use with total mastery, often in ways that are subtle or even poetic. You can use it in a philosophical sense to discuss how humans 'employ' their lives or their intellect. You are aware of archaic or very formal uses that might appear in historical texts. You can navigate the most complex grammatical constructions without thought, such as using it in the 'periodo ipotetico' of the third type or in dense, subordinate-heavy academic prose. You might use it to describe the 'employment' of one's faculties: 'Impiegare ogni fibra del proprio essere in una causa.' You understand the subtle irony if someone uses such a formal word in a very casual context. You can also discuss the etymological evolution of the word and its cognates in other Romance languages. For a C2 speaker, 'impiegare' is more than just a verb; it is a conceptual category that allows for the discussion of human agency, economic theory, and the philosophy of time. You can write a professional report on 'l'impiego dei capitali di rischio' (the use of venture capital) or a literary critique on 'l'impiego del dialetto nella prosa moderna' (the use of dialect in modern prose) with equal ease and sophistication.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

impiegare em 30 segundos

A versatile verb meaning to use time, money, or resources purposefully.
Commonly used to describe the duration of an action or travel.
Refers to the act of hiring or employing people in a professional context.
Slightly formal and structured compared to the generic verb 'usare'.

The Italian verb impiegare is a multifaceted stone in the mosaic of the Italian language, functioning primarily at the CEFR B2 level due to its varied nuances across formal, professional, and everyday contexts. At its core, the word translates to 'to employ,' 'to use,' or 'to consume' (in terms of time or resources). However, its application is far more sophisticated than the simple English 'to use.' When an Italian speaker chooses impiegare over the more common usare, they are often signaling a deliberate allocation of something valuable—be it human labor, financial capital, or the most precious resource of all: time. In the realm of employment, it relates directly to the noun impiegato (employee), highlighting the act of putting someone to work within a structured environment. Beyond the office, it is the standard verb for describing the duration of a process, as in 'How long does it take?' (Quanto tempo si impiega?). Understanding this word requires a shift from seeing 'use' as a mere physical action to seeing it as an investment of energy or duration.

Professional Context: In business, impiegare refers to the strategic deployment of assets or personnel. It implies a level of planning and purpose. For example, a company might 'impiegare' new technologies to increase efficiency.
Temporal Context: When talking about travel or tasks, it describes the amount of time consumed. It is often used with the pronominal particle 'ci' in the form impiegarci to indicate the time a specific subject takes to complete an action.
Resource Management: This involves the use of raw materials or energy. If a recipe requires three eggs, one could say the recipe 'impiega' three eggs, though 'richiede' might be more common; however, in industrial manufacturing, 'impiegare' is the standard term for material usage.

Per completare questo progetto, dobbiamo impiegare tutte le nostre risorse migliori e almeno tre mesi di lavoro intenso.

L'azienda ha deciso di impiegare nuovi laureati per rinfrescare il dipartimento di marketing.

Quanto tempo impieghi di solito per arrivare in ufficio con il traffico del mattino?

È necessario impiegare la massima cautela quando si maneggiano sostanze chimiche pericolose.

Il pittore ha scelto di impiegare tonalità molto calde per trasmettere un senso di accoglienza.

In summary, impiegare is about the conscious application of a means to an end. Whether you are talking about the hours spent on a train, the workers hired for a startup, or the effort put into a relationship, you are describing a process of 'filling' or 'occupying' space and time with specific intent. It is a verb of agency and investment.

Using impiegare correctly involves understanding its grammatical patterns, particularly when it transitions between being a transitive verb and its pronominal form. When used transitively, it takes a direct object: impiegare tempo (to spend time), impiegare capitali (to invest capital), or impiegare operai (to hire workers). The syntax is straightforward: [Subject] + [Conjugated Verb] + [Object]. For example, 'Il governo impiega fondi per la ricerca' (The government uses funds for research). However, the complexity increases when we discuss time duration. Here, Italians often use the clitic 'ci' to create impiegarci. This construction focuses on the time required by a specific person. 'Io ci impiego un'ora' means 'It takes me an hour.' Without the 'ci', 'Impiego un'ora' is still correct but feels slightly more detached. It is also important to note that when impiegare means 'to hire,' it is often synonymous with assumere, but impiegare emphasizes the 'using' of the person's skills rather than just the legal contract of hiring.

The 'Ci' Construction: When expressing how much time you personally take, use 'ci' before the verb. Example: 'Quanto ci impieghi ad arrivare?' (How long do you take to get here?). The 'ci' refers to the situation or the action of going.
Passive Voice usage: In technical manuals, you will see the passive: 'Il dispositivo viene impiegato per...' (The device is used for...). This is more formal than 'si usa'.
Gerund and Participle: The gerund 'impiegando' is useful for explaining how something was achieved: 'Impiegando nuove tecniche, abbiamo raddoppiato la produzione' (By employing new techniques, we doubled production).

Se prendi l'autostrada, impiegherai circa trenta minuti in meno rispetto alla strada statale.

Abbiamo dovuto impiegare un mediatore per risolvere la disputa tra i due soci della ditta.

La professoressa impiega sempre esempi pratici per spiegare concetti teorici molto complessi.

Non dovresti impiegare così tanto tempo per decidere cosa ordinare al ristorante!

I fondi europei saranno impiegati per la ricostruzione delle zone colpite dal recente terremoto.

Whether you are navigating the complexities of the 'ci' particle or choosing between impiegare and its synonyms, remember that this verb carries a weight of intentionality. It suggests that the resource being used is finite and that its application is a choice. Mastery of its various forms—future, past, and conditional—will allow you to discuss plans, history, and hypothetical scenarios with the precision of a native speaker.

If you find yourself in Italy, impiegare will echo in various environments, each emphasizing a different shade of its meaning. In an ufficio (office), you'll hear it in the context of human resources and task management. Managers might discuss how to 'impiegare al meglio' (make the best use of) the staff's talents during a busy quarter. If you are a commuter in a city like Milan or Rome, you will hear it constantly at train stations or in traffic reports. Announcements might say, 'Il treno impiegherà dieci minuti in più a causa di un guasto tecnico' (The train will take ten more minutes due to a technical failure). On the news (il telegiornale), journalists use it when reporting on government spending or the deployment of police forces during public events. It has a 'serious' tone that makes it the preferred choice for official communication, journalism, and academic lectures.

On the News: 'Le forze dell'ordine sono state impiegate per garantire la sicurezza.' Here, it sounds authoritative and organized.
In the Kitchen: While 'usare' is common for ingredients, a chef on a cooking show might say 'Per questa ricetta impieghiamo solo prodotti a chilometro zero' to emphasize the quality and selection process.
Commuting and Travel: GPS apps or Google Maps in Italian will use the verb to estimate travel time: 'Tempo impiegato: 15 minuti'.

Signore e signori, a causa di lavori sulla linea, il convoglio impiegherà più tempo del previsto per raggiungere la stazione Termini.

Nel suo ultimo discorso, il Ministro ha spiegato come intende impiegare i nuovi sussidi per le piccole imprese.

Durante l'intervista, il candidato ha descritto come ama impiegare il suo tempo libero facendo volontariato.

La guida turistica ha sottolineato che si impiegano circa due ore per visitare interamente i Musei Vaticani.

Perché impieghi così tante energie in un progetto che non ti appassiona affatto?

Ultimately, impiegare is a word that spans the gap between the mundane and the momentous. You'll hear it when someone is frustrated by a slow computer ('Ci impiega una vita a caricarsi!') and when a scientist explains the use of a particle accelerator. Its ubiquity in formal settings makes it an essential tool for any learner aiming for professional fluency in Italy.

One of the most frequent stumbling blocks for English speakers learning impiegare is the confusion between it and the verb metterci. While both can mean 'to take time,' they are used differently. Metterci is highly idiomatic and used primarily when the subject is a person taking time to do something (Io ci metto un'ora). Impiegare is more versatile and can be used with both people and impersonal subjects (processes, machines, journeys). A common mistake is saying 'Prendo un'ora per arrivare,' which is a literal translation of 'I take an hour.' In Italian, you don't 'take' time with prendere; you 'employ' it with impiegare or 'put' it with metterci. Another error involves the noun impiegato. Students often use lavoratore (worker) when they specifically mean an office worker, for which impiegato is the correct term. Furthermore, using impiegare for 'to use' in very simple, physical contexts like 'I use a fork' can sound overly formal or even slightly robotic. In those cases, usare is the much more natural choice.

Mistake: Using 'Prendere' for Time: Incorrect: 'Prendo due ore per studiare.' Correct: 'Impiego due ore per studiare' or 'Ci metto due ore per studiare.'
Mistake: Overusing it for simple objects: Incorrect: 'Impiego questa penna.' (Sounds like you are 'employing' the pen in a corporate sense). Correct: 'Uso questa penna.'
Mistake: Auxiliary Verb Error: Incorrect: 'Sono impiegato due ore.' Correct: 'Ho impiegato due ore.' Remember, even if it feels like a state, the action of using time requires 'avere'.

Non dire 'Il treno prende un'ora', dì invece 'Il treno impiega un'ora'.

Attenzione: 'Sono un impiegato' significa che lavori in un ufficio, non che sei 'usato' da qualcuno!

Molti studenti dimenticano il 'ci': 'Quanto tempo ci impieghi?' è molto più naturale di 'Quanto tempo impieghi?'.

Non confondere impiegare con 'occupare'. Sebbene simili, 'occupare' si riferisce allo spazio fisico o a un posto di lavoro specifico.

Non usare impiegare per dire 'to spend money' in modo casuale; usa 'spendere'. Usa 'impiegare capitali' solo per investimenti seri.

Avoiding these mistakes is a hallmark of moving from an intermediate to an advanced level. Pay close attention to how native speakers balance the formality of impiegare with the colloquial ease of metterci, and you will soon find yourself choosing the right verb instinctively based on the social setting.

To truly master impiegare, one must understand its neighborhood of synonyms and how it differs from them. The most common alternative is usare, which is the 'all-purpose' verb for using anything. However, usare lacks the connotation of 'investment' or 'duration' that impiegare provides. Another close relative is utilizzare, which is often used interchangeably with impiegare in technical or professional contexts, though utilizzare leans more towards the 'utility' or 'function' of an object. When it comes to hiring people, assumere is the standard legal and administrative term, while impiegare focuses more on the act of utilizing that person's labor. For time duration, metterci is the colloquial king, and volerci is used for impersonal time requirements (e.g., 'Ci vuole un'ora' - It takes an hour, generally). Lastly, spendere is used specifically for money or sometimes time, but it carries a sense of 'exhausting' the resource, whereas impiegare feels more like 'applying' it.

Impiegare vs. Usare: 'Uso il computer' (I use the computer - simple action). 'Impiego il computer per i miei calcoli' (I employ the computer for my calculations - purposeful use).
Impiegare vs. Metterci: 'Ci metto dieci minuti' (Informal, personal). 'Si impiegano dieci minuti' (Formal, general or objective).
Impiegare vs. Assumere: 'L'azienda ha assunto dieci persone' (They signed contracts). 'L'azienda impiega dieci persone' (They have ten people working there).

Invece di usare sempre la stessa parola, prova a utilizzare dei sinonimi più precisi.

Mentre assumere si riferisce all'atto di dare un lavoro, impiegare descrive lo stato di avere qualcuno al lavoro.

Non spendere tutte le tue energie oggi; dobbiamo impiegarle saggiamente per tutta la settimana.

Per andare a Roma, ci vuole un'ora di treno, ma se c'è ritardo si impiega molto di più.

Possiamo sfruttare questa occasione per migliorare la nostra immagine pubblica.

By expanding your vocabulary to include these alternatives, you gain the ability to express subtle differences in meaning. You can distinguish between a casual use (usare), a professional application (utilizzare), a personal time commitment (metterci), and a structured investment (impiegare). This precision is what defines a B2 level speaker and beyond.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"L'istituto impiega fondi governativi per la ricerca oncologica."

Neutro

"Impiego circa venti minuti per arrivare in palestra."

Informal

"Ci impiego un attimo, arrivo subito!"

Child friendly

"Quanto tempo impieghi per mettere a posto i tuoi giocattoli?"

Gíria

"Ci impieghi una vita, sbrigati!"

Curiosidade

The word 'impiegare' shares the same root as the English word 'imply' and 'employ'. They all come from the concept of 'folding' something into something else.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /im.pjeˈɡa.re/

US /im.pjeˈɡɑ.reɪ/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable 'ga': im-pie-GA-re.

Rima com

mangiare parlare andare giocare cucinare aspettare arrivare pensare

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'g' as a soft 'j' (like 'ginger'). It must be a hard 'g'.
Missing the 'i' sound in the first syllable.
Confusing the 'ie' diphthong with a single 'e' sound.
Stress on the wrong syllable (e.g., im-PIE-ga-re).
Nasalizing the 'im' too much like in French.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Easily recognizable due to English cognates 'employ' and 'imply'.

Escrita 4/5

Requires knowledge of the 'ci' particle and correct auxiliary choice.

Expressão oral 4/5

Native speakers often use 'metterci', so choosing 'impiegare' correctly takes practice.

Audição 3/5

Clear pronunciation, but the 'ci' can sometimes be swallowed in fast speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

usare tempo lavoro fare mettere

Aprenda a seguir

utilizzare assumere sfruttare investire durare

Avançado

parsimonia proficuamente ingente stanziare erogare

Gramática essencial

The particle 'ci' with 'impiegare'

Ci impiego molto tempo.

Auxiliary 'avere' in compound tenses

Ho impiegato due ore.

Passive voice with 'essere' or 'venire'

I fondi vengono impiegati per la scuola.

The gerund for expressing 'how'

Impiegando meno sale, la zuppa è più sana.

Subjunctive after verbs of will or doubt

Voglio che tu impieghi meglio il tuo tempo.

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Exemplos por nível

Io impiego un'ora per andare a scuola.

I take an hour to go to school.

Simple present tense of a regular -are verb.

Quanto tempo impieghi per mangiare?

How much time do you take to eat?

Interrogative sentence with 'quanto tempo'.

Mio padre è un impiegato.

My father is an office worker.

Noun form derived from the past participle.

Noi impieghiamo il computer ogni giorno.

We use the computer every day.

First person plural present tense.

Lei impiega dieci minuti per fare la doccia.

She takes ten minutes to take a shower.

Third person singular present tense.

Voi impiegate molto tempo per studiare?

Do you (plural) take a lot of time to study?

Second person plural present tense.

Loro impiegano la macchina per viaggiare.

They use the car to travel.

Third person plural present tense.

Impiego poco tempo per pulire la mia stanza.

I take little time to clean my room.

Subject 'Io' is implied.

Ho impiegato due ore per finire il libro.

I took two hours to finish the book.

Passato prossimo with auxiliary 'avere'.

Abbiamo impiegato tutti i colori per il disegno.

We used all the colors for the drawing.

Transitive use meaning 'to use up' or 'to employ'.

Quanto tempo hai impiegato per arrivare qui?

How much time did you take to get here?

Passato prossimo in an interrogative sentence.

L'azienda impiega venti operai.

The company employs twenty workers.

Meaning 'to employ' or 'to hire'.

Impiegherò il mio tempo libero per imparare l'italiano.

I will use my free time to learn Italian.

Future tense of 'impiegare'.

Non impiegare troppa acqua per innaffiare i fiori.

Don't use too much water to water the flowers.

Negative imperative (non + infinitive).

Hai impiegato molto zucchero nella torta?

Did you use a lot of sugar in the cake?

Using 'impiegare' for ingredients.

Loro hanno impiegato un'ora per trovare parcheggio.

They took an hour to find parking.

Passato prossimo with 'avere'.

Se prendi l'autobus, ci impieghi meno tempo.

If you take the bus, you take less time.

Use of the pronominal form 'impiegarci'.

Dobbiamo impiegare le nostre risorse in modo intelligente.

We must use our resources in an intelligent way.

Infinitive after the modal verb 'dovere'.

L'ufficio impiega nuove tecnologie per il lavoro remoto.

The office employs new technologies for remote work.

Professional context of 'using' technology.

Quanto ci hai impiegato a preparare questa cena?

How long did it take you to prepare this dinner?

Passato prossimo with the particle 'ci'.

Impiegheremo tutto il giorno per pulire il giardino.

We will take all day to clean the garden.

Future tense expressing duration.

Spero di impiegare le mie abilità nel nuovo progetto.

I hope to use my skills in the new project.

Infinitive after 'sperare di'.

Se avessi tempo, impiegherei le mattine per correre.

If I had time, I would use the mornings to run.

Present conditional in a hypothetical sentence.

Ci impiegano sempre molto a rispondere alle email.

They always take a long time to answer emails.

Third person plural of 'impiegarci'.

L'azienda ha deciso di impiegare capitali esteri per l'espansione.

The company decided to employ foreign capital for expansion.

Financial context of 'investing' or 'using' capital.

Verranno impiegati nuovi metodi per ridurre l'inquinamento.

New methods will be employed to reduce pollution.

Passive voice with 'venire'.

Non posso credere che tu abbia impiegato così tanto per capirlo.

I can't believe you took so long to understand it.

Past subjunctive after 'non posso credere che'.

Impiegando bene il tempo, si possono ottenere grandi risultati.

By using time well, one can obtain great results.

Gerund used to express means or method.

La polizia è stata impiegata per sedare la rivolta.

The police were deployed to quell the riot.

Passive voice referring to personnel deployment.

Quanto ci s'impiega di solito per ottenere un visto?

How long does it usually take to get a visa?

Impersonal form with 'si' and the particle 'ci'.

Dovresti impiegare più impegno nei tuoi studi universitari.

You should put more effort into your university studies.

Using 'impiegare' with an abstract noun like 'impegno'.

L'autore impiega uno stile molto asciutto in questo romanzo.

The author employs a very dry style in this novel.

Literary/stylistic context.

È fondamentale impiegare le risorse idriche con estrema parsimonia.

It is fundamental to use water resources with extreme frugality.

Formal register using 'parsimonia'.

Sebbene abbiano impiegato ingenti somme, il progetto è fallito.

Although they used huge sums, the project failed.

Concessive clause with 'sebbene' and the subjunctive.

Il critico sostiene che il regista impieghi la luce in modo espressionista.

The critic claims the director uses light in an expressionist way.

Subjunctive mood after a verb of opinion.

Si è impiegato anni per ricostruire la verità storica dei fatti.

It took years to reconstruct the historical truth of the events.

Passive/Impersonal use with a focus on historical process.

L'azienda fatica a impiegare proficuamente tutto il personale.

The company struggles to employ all staff profitably.

Use of the adverb 'proficuamente'.

Qualora si impiegassero tali sostanze, i rischi sarebbero elevati.

Should such substances be used, the risks would be high.

Hypothetical clause with 'qualora' and the imperfect subjunctive.

Il saggio analizza come Machiavelli impieghi il concetto di virtù.

The essay analyzes how Machiavelli employs the concept of virtue.

Academic context focusing on conceptual usage.

Nonostante l'impegno impiegato, non ha ottenuto la promozione.

Despite the effort used, he did not get the promotion.

Past participle used as an adjective modifying 'impegno'.

L'opera impiega un linguaggio volutamente arcaizzante per evocare il passato.

The work employs a deliberately archaizing language to evoke the past.

Sophisticated literary analysis.

Si potrebbe eccepire che tali fondi siano stati impiegati impropriamente.

One might object that such funds have been used improperly.

High-level legal/argumentative structure.

Impiegare la propria vita nella ricerca della verità è un compito arduo.

Employing one's life in the search for truth is an arduous task.

Philosophical usage of the verb.

La dialettica impiegata nel dibattito è risultata essere fallace.

The dialectic employed in the debate turned out to be fallacious.

Abstract noun modified by the past participle.

È necessario che lo Stato impieghi ogni mezzo lecito per contrastare il crimine.

It is necessary for the State to employ every lawful means to combat crime.

Subjunctive mood in a formal political context.

L'energia sprigionata dalla reazione viene impiegata per generare vapore.

The energy released by the reaction is used to generate steam.

Technical/scientific passive voice.

Egli impiegò tutto il suo carisma per convincere la folla scettica.

He used all his charisma to convince the skeptical crowd.

Passato remoto used in narrative prose.

Il piano prevede di impiegare la flotta in manovre di pattugliamento.

The plan involves deploying the fleet in patrolling maneuvers.

Military/strategic context.

Colocações comuns

impiegare tempo

impiegare risorse

impiegare capitali

impiegare operai

impiegare bene

impiegare male

impiegare energie

impiegare lo sguardo

impiegare mezzi

impiegare tecniche

Frases Comuns

Quanto ci impieghi?

— How long does it take you? Used commonly for travel or tasks.

Quanto ci impieghi ad arrivare in centro?

Impiegare il proprio tempo

— To spend or occupy one's time with something.

Ama impiegare il suo tempo leggendo classici.

Impiegare al meglio

— To make the best use of something.

Dobbiamo impiegare al meglio i talenti del team.

Impiegare forze

— To use strength or forces (often military or police).

Sono state impiegate ingenti forze di polizia.

Impiegare capitali

— To invest or use financial assets.

Hanno deciso di impiegare i capitali in nuove startup.

Impiegare un'eternità

— To take forever (exaggeration).

Questo computer impiega un'eternità ad accendersi!

Impiegare il massimo impegno

— To put in the maximum effort.

Ha impiegato il massimo impegno per vincere la gara.

Impiegare sostanze

— To use materials or substances (often in science or industry).

Non impiegare sostanze tossiche in giardino.

Impiegare meno tempo

— To take less time.

Con il treno ad alta velocità si impiega meno tempo.

Impiegare personale

— To use or have staff at work.

Il ristorante impiega personale molto qualificato.

Frequentemente confundido com

impiegare vs metterci

Metterci is more colloquial and focuses on the person's effort; impiegare is more factual/formal.

impiegare vs prendere

In English we 'take' time, but in Italian we don't use 'prendere' for duration.

impiegare vs usare

Usare is for simple physical usage; impiegare is for structured allocation.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Impiegare una vita"

— To take a very long time, often used to express frustration.

Ci ho impiegato una vita per trovare questo indirizzo!

informal

"Impiegare bene le carte"

— To play one's cards right; to use one's advantages effectively.

Se impieghi bene le tue carte, otterrai il posto.

figurative

"Impiegare il cervello"

— To use one's brain; to think carefully.

Prova a impiegare il cervello ogni tanto!

informal/sarcastic

"Impiegare ogni briciolo di energia"

— To use every bit of energy.

Ha impiegato ogni briciolo di energia per finire la maratona.

emphatic

"Impiegare a tempo pieno"

— To use or hire someone for full-time work.

L'azienda lo impiega a tempo pieno da gennaio.

professional

"Impiegare a vuoto"

— To use something in vain or without result.

Abbiamo impiegato a vuoto tutte le nostre scuse.

literary

"Impiegare lo scibile"

— To use everything that is known; to use all knowledge.

Per risolvere il mistero, ha impiegato tutto lo scibile umano.

lofty

"Impiegare le maniere forti"

— To use strong-arm tactics or force.

A volte bisogna impiegare le maniere forti per farsi ascoltare.

colloquial

"Impiegare il fiato"

— To use one's breath (usually meaning to speak).

Non impiegare il fiato con lui, non ascolta mai.

informal

"Impiegare l'ingegno"

— To use one's wit or ingenuity.

Dovette impiegare tutto il suo ingegno per scappare.

literary

Fácil de confundir

impiegare vs impiegato

It can be a verb form or a noun.

As a noun, it means 'office worker'. As a verb, it's the past participle of 'impiegare'.

L'impiegato ha impiegato tre ore per la pratica.

impiegare vs occupare

Both can mean to fill time or space.

Occupare is about filling a space; impiegare is about using a resource.

Il tavolo occupa spazio, ma impieghiamo il tavolo per lavorare.

impiegare vs spendere

Both can mean to use time or money.

Spendere implies consumption/exhaustion; impiegare implies application/investment.

Ho speso soldi, ma ho impiegato bene il tempo.

impiegare vs utilizzare

Synonyms for 'to use'.

Utilizzare focuses on function; impiegare focuses on the act of employing/taking.

Utilizzo lo strumento, impiego il mio tempo.

impiegare vs assumere

Both mean to hire.

Assumere is the legal act; impiegare is the state of having someone work.

L'azienda lo ha assunto e ora lo impiega in ufficio.

Padrões de frases

[Soggetto] + impiega + [Tempo]

Il treno impiega un'ora.

Ho impiegato + [Tempo] + per + [Infinito]

Ho impiegato due ore per studiare.

Ci + [Verbo] + [Tempo]

Ci impiego dieci minuti.

[Soggetto] + viene impiegato + per + [Nome]

Il computer viene impiegato per il lavoro.

Impiegando + [Risorsa], [Risultato]

Impiegando meno carta, aiutiamo l'ambiente.

Sebbene + [Soggetto] + abbia impiegato...

Sebbene abbia impiegato molto tempo, non ha finito.

Impiegare [Astrazione] in [Attività]

Impiegare ogni energia nella ricerca.

Qualora si impiegassero...

Qualora si impiegassero tali mezzi, la vittoria sarebbe certa.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

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Como usar

frequency

Very high in both written and spoken Italian, particularly in administrative and travel contexts.

Erros comuns

Prendo un'ora per arrivare. → Impiego un'ora per arrivare.
In Italian, you don't 'take' (prendere) time; you 'employ' (impiegare) it.
Io sono impiegato due ore. → Ho impiegato due ore.
The auxiliary verb for 'impiegare' is always 'avere'.
Uso troppa energia. → Impiego troppa energia.
While 'uso' is not wrong, 'impiego' is better when talking about resources like energy or effort.
Quanto tempo impieghi? → Quanto tempo ci impieghi?
Adding 'ci' makes the sentence sound more natural when asking about personal time.
L'azienda assume cento persone. → L'azienda impiega cento persone.
Use 'assume' for the act of hiring, but 'impiega' to say they are currently working there.

Dicas

The 'H' Rule

Remember to add an 'h' in 'impieghi' and 'impieghiamo' to keep the hard 'g' sound. Without it, the pronunciation would change.

Noun vs Verb

Don't forget that 'impiegato' is both 'employed' and 'employee'. Context will tell you which one it is.

Sound Natural

Use 'metterci' in bars and with friends, but use 'impiegare' in meetings and job interviews.

Business Italian

In a cover letter, use 'impiegare le mie competenze' to sound professional and capable.

GPS Cues

Listen to your Italian GPS. It will often say 'Hai impiegato...' at the end of your trip.

The Office Life

Understanding 'impiegato' helps you understand a large part of Italian social structure and comedy (like Fantozzi).

Investment

Always think of 'impiegare' as 'investing' time or resources. It helps distinguish it from casual 'using'.

Avoid Anglicisms

Never use 'prendere' for time duration. It's a classic mistake for English speakers.

Passive Voice

Use 'venire impiegato' for a more elegant passive voice in formal writing.

Daily Routine

Try to describe your morning routine using 'impiegare' for every step: 'Impiego 5 minuti per alzarmi...'

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'In-Place-Gear'. When you put a gear in place, you are 'employing' it to make the machine work. You also 'employ' your time to get the gear moving.

Associação visual

Imagine a giant clock with gears made of people and money. To make the clock move, you must 'impiegare' (employ/use) both the workers and the resources.

Word Web

Lavoro Tempo Risorse Ufficio Soldi Durata Assumere Usare

Desafio

Try to write a paragraph about your daily commute using 'impiegare' at least three times in different tenses.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Latin verb 'implicare', which means 'to involve', 'to entangle', or 'to enfold'.

Significado original: The original Latin sense was about being 'folded in' or 'involved' in a situation or task.

Romance (Italic)

Contexto cultural

No major sensitivities, but be aware that 'impiegare' is more formal than 'usare'. Using 'impiegare' for very low-status or dirty tasks might sound ironic.

English speakers often confuse 'impiegare' with 'take' (for time) or 'use' (for objects). In English, 'employ' is mostly for people, while in Italian, it's widely used for time.

The film 'Il Posto' by Ermanno Olmi depicts the life of a young 'impiegato'. Italo Calvino often uses 'impiegare' in his precise, analytical descriptions of processes. The character Fantozzi is the quintessential Italian 'impiegato'.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Travel

Quanto ci impieghi?
Impiegare un'ora
Impiegare meno tempo
Tempo impiegato

Work

Impiegare personale
Cercare un impiego
Impiegare competenze
Essere impiegato

Finance

Impiegare capitali
Impiegare fondi
Impiegare risparmi
Impiego di risorse

Cooking

Impiegare ingredienti
Tempo di cottura impiegato
Impiegare fuoco lento
Impiegare spezie

Technology

Impiegare software
Impiegare processori
Tempo di caricamento impiegato
Impiegare algoritmi

Iniciadores de conversa

"Quanto tempo impieghi di solito per prepararti la mattina?"

"Pensi sia meglio impiegare i soldi in viaggi o in beni materiali?"

"Quante persone impiega la tua azienda attualmente?"

"Come ami impiegare i tuoi pomeriggi durante il fine settimana?"

"Quanto tempo ci hai impiegato per imparare a guidare?"

Temas para diário

Descrivi come hai impiegato il tuo tempo durante l'ultima vacanza. Sei stato produttivo o ti sei riposato?

Quali risorse dovremmo impiegare per combattere il cambiamento climatico nel nostro piccolo?

Scrivi di un progetto in cui hai impiegato molto impegno. Qual è stato il risultato finale?

Se avessi un milione di euro, come sceglieresti di impiegare questa somma?

Rifletti su quanto tempo impieghi sui social media ogni giorno. È un tempo ben impiegato?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Yes, it means to employ or hire them. For example, 'L'azienda impiega cento persone' means the company has one hundred employees.

Both are used. 'Impiegare tempo a fare qualcosa' and 'Impiegare tempo per fare qualcosa' are both grammatically correct and common.

'Metterci' is informal and idiomatic (e.g., 'Ci metto un'ora'). 'Impiegare' is more standard and formal (e.g., 'Impiego un'ora').

No. You use 'ci' when you want to emphasize the time *you* or someone specifically takes. In formal or general statements, 'ci' is often omitted.

No, that's an anglicism. Use 'impiegare tempo' or 'metterci tempo'. 'Prendere tempo' in Italian means to procrastinate or stall.

An 'impiegato' is an office worker or a white-collar worker. It comes from the verb 'impiegare'.

Yes, it is a regular -are verb. However, like all verbs ending in -gare, it adds an 'h' before 'e' or 'i' to keep the hard 'g' sound (e.g., 'impieghi', 'impieghiamo').

You can say 'Quanto tempo ci vuole?' (general) or 'Quanto tempo ci impieghi?' (specifically to you).

Yes, but it's more formal than 'usare'. You might see it in a manual: 'Impiegare lo strumento con cautela'.

It always uses 'avere' in compound tenses: 'Ho impiegato', 'Abbiamo impiegato'.

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