caratterizzare

to characterize, to distinguish

verb kah-raht-teh-reed-DZAH-reh Less Common

Origin: From carattere ('character') + -izzare, from Greek -izein.

Also means

to define, to typify

Usage Note

Caratterizzare is a transitive verb conjugated with avere. It typically means to be a defining feature of something — la passione che caratterizza gli italiani = 'the passion that characterizes Italians'. The reflexive caratterizzarsi means 'to be distinguished by' or 'to stand out for'.

Examples

"Il colore rosso caratterizza la bandiera italiana."

Natural Translation

The color red characterizes the Italian flag.

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