Overview
The verb 'donare' in Italian is a regular first-conjugation verb, meaning it follows the typical pattern for verbs ending in '-are'. Its primary meaning is 'to donate' or 'to give', often implying a voluntary act of benevolence, generosity, or charity, where something is transferred from one person or entity to another without expectation of return or payment. It can refer to giving money, goods, blood, organs, time, or even abstract qualities like love or attention. When 'donare' is used for physical objects or money, it emphasizes the act of contributing to a cause, an organization, or an individual in need.
Grammatically, 'donare' can be used transitively, taking a direct object (e.g., 'donare soldi' - to donate money), or intransitively with a prepositional phrase to indicate the recipient (e.g., 'donare a un'associazione' - to donate to an association). It often takes the auxiliary verb 'avere' (to have) in compound tenses. For instance, 'ho donato' means 'I have donated'.
Beyond its literal meaning, 'donare' can also be used in more figurative contexts. For example, one might 'donare il proprio tempo' (to donate one's time) or 'donare un sorriso' (to give a smile), implying an act of kindness or contribution of one's presence or effort. It carries a connotation of altruism and selflessness. The noun form associated with 'donare' is 'donazione' (donation), and the person who donates is a 'donatore' (donor).
Here are some common contexts and collocations for 'donare':
* **Donare abiti/vestiti:** to donate clothes
- Donare a una causa/organizzazione: to donate to a cause/organization
- Donare tempo: to volunteer time, to give time
* **Donare un sorriso:** to give a smile
Understanding 'donare' is key to grasping expressions of generosity and civic contribution in Italian. It's a word that embodies positive actions and is frequently encountered in discussions about charity, philanthropy, and community support.
例句
Ho deciso di donare il mio sangue.
medical, humanitarianI decided to donate my blood.
Ha donato una somma considerevole in beneficenza.
philanthropyHe donated a considerable sum to charity.
Siamo felici di donare il nostro tempo per questa causa.
volunteeringWe are happy to give our time for this cause.
La natura ci dona paesaggi mozzafiato.
figurative, natural worldNature gives us breathtaking landscapes.
I suoi genitori gli hanno donato una nuova macchina per il suo compleanno.
personal giftHis parents gave him a new car for his birthday.
常见搭配
How to Use It
使用说明
'Donare' is a regular first-conjugation verb in Italian, meaning 'to donate' or 'to give.' It can be used in various contexts, from formal to informal. When referring to monetary donations, it's often followed by the amount and the recipient, e.g., 'Ho donato cento euro alla ricerca' (I donated one hundred euros to research). For donating blood or organs, you would say 'donare il sangue' or 'donare gli organi.' When used in a more general sense of giving a gift, it can be interchangeable with 'regalare' or 'dare,' though 'donare' often implies a more altruistic or significant act. For example, 'Le ho donato un libro' (I gave her a book) emphasizes the act of giving. It can also be used reflexively as 'donarsi,' meaning 'to give oneself' or 'to dedicate oneself' to something, as in 'Si è donato completamente alla causa' (He completely dedicated himself to the cause). The past participle 'donato' can also function as an adjective, meaning 'donated' or 'gifted,' as in 'oggetti donati' (donated objects). Pay attention to prepositions; often 'a' (to) is used to indicate the recipient of the donation.
常见错误
A common mistake might be confusing 'donare' with verbs that have similar sounds but different meanings, such as 'tornato' (returned) or 'suonare' (to play an instrument). Also, remember that in Italian, the direct object pronoun often precedes the verb, so it's 'Lo dono' (I donate it) rather than 'Dono lo'.
Tips
Usage Note
'Donare' is generally used for more formal or significant acts of giving compared to 'regalare' (to give a gift), which is more casual.
Common Mistake
While 'donare' can sometimes be translated as 'to give', it specifically implies giving as a gift, donation, or bestowal, rather than a general act of giving.
Pronunciation Tip
The stress in 'donare' is on the second syllable: do-NÀ-re.
词源
The Italian word 'donare' originates from the Latin verb 'donare,' which means 'to give, present, bestow, grant.' This Latin root itself comes from 'donum,' meaning 'gift, present.' The concept of giving and donation has been present in various forms throughout history, and the word 'donare' reflects this ancient practice. Its evolution into Italian maintains the core meaning of giving freely, often as a gift or an act of charity. In Roman times, 'donare' was used in a broad sense, encompassing acts of giving from a simple present to a formal donation of property. Over centuries, as Latin evolved into the Romance languages, 'donare' retained its fundamental meaning. In Italian, it became a common verb for expressing the act of giving, particularly in contexts of benevolence, charity, or the transfer of something valuable without expectation of return. It is closely related to other Romance words such as Spanish 'donar,' Portuguese 'doar,' and French 'donner,' all sharing the same Latin root and core meaning. Historically, the concept of 'donare' has been significant in religious and social contexts, referring to offerings, alms, or contributions to communities. The word carries a connotation of generosity and altruism, often implying a voluntary act. Its usage extends beyond material goods to include the donation of time, effort, or even organs. The etymology thus traces a continuous line from ancient Roman concepts of giving to the modern Italian understanding of 'donare' as a multifaceted act of bestowing or contributing.
文化背景
In Italy, the act of 'donare' (to donate or give) is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric, often carrying significant social and emotional weight. It extends beyond mere financial contributions, encompassing the giving of time, effort, and personal possessions. 'Donare' blood (donare il sangue) is highly encouraged and seen as a civic duty, with many national campaigns promoting it. Similarly, organ donation (donazione di organi) is viewed as a profound act of generosity that can save lives, though discussions around it can sometimes be sensitive due to religious or personal beliefs. Charitable giving (beneficenza) to organizations supporting various causes, from poverty relief to scientific research, is also common, especially during religious holidays like Christmas or Easter, when acts of solidarity are emphasized. Furthermore, 'donare' can also refer to the informal act of giving a gift (fare un regalo) to friends or family, expressing affection and strengthening social bonds. The concept of 'dono' (gift) is often associated with thoughtfulness and personal connection rather than just monetary value.
记忆技巧
Think of 'donare' as 'to donate,' which sounds similar and means to give. You are 'donating' something when you 'give' it.
常见问题
4 个问题'Donare' primarily means 'to donate' or 'to give' in Italian. It implies a voluntary act of bestowing something, often as a gift or an act of generosity, without expecting anything in return. This can apply to physical objects, money, time, or even abstract concepts like love or attention. The core idea revolves around the act of giving freely and benevolently, reflecting a sense of altruism or affection. Understanding this core meaning is essential for its correct usage in various contexts, whether formal or informal. It's a versatile verb that encompasses a wide range of giving actions.
While 'donare' and 'dare' both translate to 'to give,' they are not always interchangeable, as 'donare' carries a stronger connotation of generosity, charity, or a formal gift. 'Dare' is a more general verb for giving anything, from a book to an instruction. 'Donare,' however, implies a more significant or benevolent act of giving, often with no expectation of return, such as donating blood, organs, or a substantial sum of money to a charity. So, while 'dare' is broad, 'donare' specifies a particular kind of giving—one that is often more meaningful or altruistic. This distinction is crucial for nuanced communication in Italian.
There are several common phrases and expressions using 'donare' that illustrate its usage. For instance, 'donare il sangue' means 'to donate blood,' and 'donare gli organi' means 'to donate organs,' both highlighting acts of profound generosity. 'Donare in beneficenza' translates to 'to donate to charity,' emphasizing the charitable aspect. You might also hear 'donare un sorriso' (to give a smile) or 'donare il proprio tempo' (to donate one's time), which extend the meaning to more abstract forms of giving. These examples showcase the versatility of 'donare' in expressing various acts of giving, from the tangible to the intangible, always with an underlying sense of benevolence.
The conjugation of 'donare' in the present tense follows the regular -are verb pattern in Italian. Here's how it's conjugated: 'io dono' (I donate/give), 'tu doni' (you donate/give - informal singular), 'lui/lei dona' (he/she donates/gives), 'noi doniamo' (we donate/give), 'voi donate' (you donate/give - informal plural), and 'loro donano' (they donate/give). Mastering this conjugation is fundamental for using 'donare' correctly in everyday Italian conversations. It's a straightforward conjugation, making it relatively easy to learn for Italian language learners. Understanding these forms allows for proper expression of who is performing the act of giving.
自我测试
Voglio ______ i miei vecchi vestiti in beneficenza.
Lui ama ______ il suo tempo per aiutare gli altri.
Potresti ______ una piccola somma per la ricerca?
得分: /3
Usage Note
'Donare' is generally used for more formal or significant acts of giving compared to 'regalare' (to give a gift), which is more casual.
Common Mistake
While 'donare' can sometimes be translated as 'to give', it specifically implies giving as a gift, donation, or bestowal, rather than a general act of giving.
Pronunciation Tip
The stress in 'donare' is on the second syllable: do-NÀ-re.
例句
5 / 5Ho deciso di donare il mio sangue.
I decided to donate my blood.
Ha donato una somma considerevole in beneficenza.
He donated a considerable sum to charity.
Siamo felici di donare il nostro tempo per questa causa.
We are happy to give our time for this cause.
La natura ci dona paesaggi mozzafiato.
Nature gives us breathtaking landscapes.
I suoi genitori gli hanno donato una nuova macchina per il suo compleanno.
His parents gave him a new car for his birthday.
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