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.
Related Words
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