coltivare

to cultivate

verb kohl-tee-VAH-reh Rare

Origin: Medieval Latin cultivare, to till

Also means

to grow

Usage Note

Coltivare is used both literally (coltivare la terra = to farm the land) and figuratively (coltivare un'amicizia = to nurture a friendship, coltivare un talento = to develop a talent). It is a regular -are verb and takes avere as auxiliary. The related noun is la coltivazione (cultivation, farming).

Examples

"La famiglia coltiva pomodori in giardino."

Natural Translation

The family grows tomatoes in the garden.

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