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scatenare

to unleash

verb skah-teh-NAH-reh Less Common
Mind & Emotions Emotions

Also means

to trigger

Usage Note

Scatenare literally means to unchain (catena = chain) and figuratively to unleash or spark — scatenare una crisi (to trigger a crisis), scatenare le risa (to set off laughter). The reflexive scatenarsi means 'to break loose / to go wild' — la tempesta si è scatenata (the storm broke out). Uses avere in non-reflexive form, essere in reflexive.

Examples

"Il gol ha scatenato l'entusiasmo del pubblico."

Natural Translation

The goal unleashed the crowd's enthusiasm.

Literal Translation

The goal has unleashed the-enthusiasm of-the crowd.

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