afferrare

to grab; to seize

verb ahf-fer-RAH-reh Rare

Also means

to grasp (an idea)

Usage Note

Afferrare covers both the physical act of grabbing something (afferrare un ramo, to grab a branch) and the mental act of grasping a concept (afferrare il senso, to get the meaning). It conjugates regularly (-are). The reflexive afferrarsi a means to cling to something: si è afferrato al corrimano (he clutched the handrail).

Examples

"Ha afferrato la borsa al volo."

Natural Translation

She grabbed the bag in mid-air.

Literal Translation

She-has grabbed the bag in-the flight.

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