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cambiare

to change

verb kahm-BYAH-reh Common

Origin: Late Latin cambiare (to exchange), of Celtic origin.

Also means

to exchange

Usage Note

Cambiare takes avere when it has a direct object (ho cambiato idea = I changed my mind) but essere when used intransitively to mean that the subject itself changes (la situazione è cambiata = the situation has changed). This essere/avere split is a key learner challenge.

Examples

"La situazione è cambiata molto."

Natural Translation

The situation has changed a lot.

Literal Translation

The situation is changed a lot.

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