scontrare

to clash

verb skon-TRAH-reh Rare

Also means

to collide

Usage Note

Scontrare is almost always used as the reflexive scontrarsi (si sono scontrati = they clashed/collided). It applies to physical collisions (due auto si sono scontrate) and figurative conflict (le opinioni si scontrano). The noun scontro means a clash or collision. It takes essere as auxiliary in reflexive compound tenses: si sono scontrati.

Examples

"Le due fazioni si sono scontrate violentemente."

Natural Translation

The two factions clashed violently.

Literal Translation

The two factions themselves are clashed violently.

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