giovare

to benefit, to be useful

verb joh-VAH-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin iuvare (to help, to please).

Usage Note

Giovare is intransitive and typically impersonal: giova sapere (it is useful to know), questo ti gioverà (this will benefit you). The reflexive giovarsi di means to avail oneself of something. Do not confuse with the adjective giovane (young) — they share no semantic link. Auxiliary is avere or essere depending on construction.

Examples

"Fare esercizio giova alla salute."

Natural Translation

Exercising benefits one's health.

Literal Translation

To-do exercise benefits to-the health.

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