penetrare

to penetrate

verb peh-neh-TRAH-reh Rare

Origin: Latin penetrare, to enter deeply

Also means

to enter

Usage Note

Penetrare can take essere or avere as auxiliary depending on use: intransitive motion (il sole è penetrato nella stanza) takes essere, while transitive use (il proiettile ha penetrato il metallo) takes avere. This essere/avere split is a common point of confusion for learners.

Examples

"La luce penetra attraverso le tende."

Natural Translation

The light penetrates through the curtains.

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