What does preso in Italian mean?

What is the meaning of the word preso in Italian? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use preso in Italian.

The word preso in Italian means taken, occupied, engrossed, absorbed, take, get, fetch, catch, take, bring, collect, catch, get, take, buy, get, receive, hit, get along, catch, stick, hold, start, begin, have reception, take, steal, treat, take on, receive, take, have, take, take, take, charge, ask, catch, get, get, subjected to, receive, be kept, take, capture, get, win, take, be taken by, be overcome by, be absorbed, be busy, hire, employ, take on, catch, get, take for, take, be offended, act out of bias, be caught, be caught in a chokehold, be full of yourself, on principle, taking into consideration, acknowledging, take on, take over, feel as if you are being laughed at, feel duped. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word preso

taken, occupied

aggettivo (posto: riservato, occupato)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Questo tavolo è già preso.

This table is already taken.

engrossed, absorbed

aggettivo (impegnato, assorbito, coinvolto)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Era talmente preso dal lavoro che si è dimenticato di svegliarmi.

He was so absorbed in his work that he forgot to wake me up.

take, get, fetch, catch

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (afferrare, prelevare)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Prendi quella fune laggiù e portamela qui, per favore. // Il mio cane si diverte a prendere i bastoncini e riportarmeli. // Meglio che non giochi in porta: non sono capace di prendere la palla al volo.

Pick up that rope over there and bring it here to me, please.

take, bring, collect

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (portare con sé)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Prendi un po' della torta avanzata: io non riesco a mangiarla tutta. // Chi ha preso le chiavi della macchina? // Passo stasera da te a prendere quel libro di cui dicevamo.

Take a bit of the cake that's left over; I can't eat it all. // Who has taken the car keys? // I'll come over to yours this evening to collect that book we talked about.

catch, get

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (anche figurato (catturare, acciuffare)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Sono andato a pescare e ho preso un piccolo tonno. // Hanno preso il ladro dopo un inseguimento nei boschi.

I went fishing and caught a small tuna. // They caught the robber after a chase in the woods.

take

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (assumere sostanze) (medicine, treatment)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ho preso queste pastiglie ma il mal di testa non mi è passato.

I took these pills but my headache hasn't gone away.

buy, get

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (acquistare)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ho preso un chilo di pesche al mercato per poco meno di due euro.

I bought a kilogram of peaches at the market for less than two euros.

receive

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (guadagnare)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Quanto prendi in più col nuovo lavoro?

How much more do you earn at your new job?

hit

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (colpire, centrare)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ha sbandato con l'auto e ha preso in pieno un lampione, fortunatamente senza farsi niente di grave. // Non sono riuscito a prenderla, quella maledetta zanzara.

He lost control of his car and crashed into a lamppost; thankfully it wasn't too serious.

get along

verbo riflessivo o intransitivo pronominale (familiare (andare d'accordo) (colloquial)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Giorgio e Anna non si prendono molto.

Giorgio and Anna don't get along well.

catch

verbo intransitivo (piante, fuoco: attecchire) (fire)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

I fiori che ho piantato nell'aiuola hanno preso bene e ora stanno sbocciando.

The flowers I planted have taken root in the flowerbed and are now flowering.

stick, hold

verbo intransitivo (legante, colla: rapprendersi) (adhesive)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

Bisogna tenere fermi i due pezzi finché la colla non prende.

You need to keep the two pieces still until the glue takes its hold.

start, begin

verbo intransitivo (iniziare)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

La mia macchina ha preso a fare un rumore di ferraglia che mi preoccupa.

My car started making a clunking noise which is worrying.

have reception

verbo intransitivo (captare segnali) (telecommunication)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Chiamami sul fisso quando sono in ufficio perché il mio cellulare lì non prende.

Call me on the landline when I'm in the office as my mobile has no reception there.

take, steal

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (impossessarsi, rubare)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

La scorsa notte mi sono entrati in casa i ladri e mi hanno preso il laptop e dei contanti.

I was burgled last night and they took my laptop and some cash.

treat

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (figurato (trattare in un certo modo)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Se vuoi ottenere qualcosa da lui devi prenderlo con più tatto.

If you want something from him you need to treat him with more tact.

take on

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (assumere date caratteristiche)

(phrasal verb, transitive, inseparable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, not divisible--for example,"go with" [=combine nicely]: "Those red shoes don't go with my dress." NOT [S]"Those red shoes don't go my dress with."[/S])

L'opera sta prendendo la sua forma definitiva.

The project is taking on its final shape.

receive

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (segnali: ricevere, captare)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Nella nostra casa di campagna si prendono solo le stazioni radio sulle onde corte.

We only get short wave radio stations in our country home.

take, have

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (letterario (possedere sessualmente) (sexually)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Mi ricordo che quell'estate la presi nel bosco dietro casa prima che partisse.

I remember that that summer I took her in the woods near my house before she went away.

take

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (considerare, interpretare)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Avevo preso per buono quello che mi aveva detto.

I had taken what he told me as truth.

take

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (spazio, tempo: occupare) (time, space)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Secondo lui questo lavoro non doveva prendere più di un'oretta, invece ci sto dietro da tutta la mattina!

He said this job would only take me about an hour, but I've been working on it all morning!

take

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (imboccare una direzione) (choose a direction)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Prenda via Roma, la percorra fino in fondo, e poi svolti a destra verso il mare.

Take Via Rome, carry on to the end and then turn right towards the beach.

charge, ask

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (chiedere pagamento)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Quanto prende quel parrucchiere per una tinta?

How much does that hairdresser charge to dye your hair?

catch, get

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (una malattia) (disease)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

A forza di stare nella corrente d'aria mi prenderò una polmonite.

If I continue to stay near this draft I'll catch pneumonia.

get, subjected to, receive, be kept

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (ricevere, essere sottoposto a)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Ho messo le lenzuola alla finestra a prendere aria. // Se le patate prendono luce possono diventare verdi e tossiche.

I've put the sheets by the window so they could get some air. // If potatoes are kept in the light they can become green and toxic.

take, capture

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (conquistare)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

La città fu presa dopo un lungo assedio.

The city was captured after a long siege.

get, win, take

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (giochi: vincere o mangiare) (cards)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

In questa mano di carte ho preso pochi denari. // Ho sbagliato a spostare in avanti la torre, mi sono fatto prendere un alfiere come un pivello.

I shouldn't have moved the rook forward, I let him capture a bishop like a rookie.

be taken by, be overcome by

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (emozioni: assalire) (emotions)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Alla vista dei miei fumetti di ragazzo mi prese una forte malinconia.

When I saw my childhood comic books I was overcome with melancholy.

be absorbed, be busy

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (attività: assorbire)

Questo libro mi ha preso così tanto che non mi sono accorto che si è fatta notte fonda. // In questo periodo sono troppo preso dal lavoro, non ho tempo nemmeno per un'uscita con gli amici.

I have been so absorbed by this book that I didn't realise it's the middle of the night. // I'm too busy with work in this period, I haven't even got time to go out with my friends.

hire, employ, take on

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (persone: assumere)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Dobbiamo prendere due nuovi collaboratori per la nuova linea di prodotti. // Il condottiero prese mille soldati e si incamminò.

We need to hire two new collaborators for the new line of products. // The warlord took on a thousand soldiers and went off.

catch, get

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (foto, video: catturare) (photo, video)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Non sono stato abbastanza svelto e non ho preso il momento in cui ha spento le candeline sulla torta. // Nella foto ho preso voi due e il paesaggio dietro di voi.

I wasn't quick enough and didn't catch the moment when he blew out the candles on the cake. // In the photo I got the two of you and the landscape behind you.

take for

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (scambiare, confondere)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")

Mi aveva preso per mio fratello al telefono e l'ho dovuto avvertire che ero io. // Mi hai preso per uno che si fa fregare facilmente?

He mistook me for my brother on the phone and I had to tell him it was me.

take

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (mezzo di trasporto) (means of transport)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Prendiamo la macchina o l'autobus per andare in centro?

Shall we take the car or the bus to go into town?

be offended

verbo transitivo o transitivo pronominale (risentirsi, provare rancore)

Giorgia se l'è presa quando le ho fatto notare che aveva sbagliato lei.

Giorgia got offended when I pointed out that she was in the wrong.

act out of bias

be caught

be caught in a chokehold

be full of yourself

on principle

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

taking into consideration, acknowledging

(amministrativo, giuridico, burocratico (tenuto conto di [qlcs])

take on, take over

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")

feel as if you are being laughed at, feel duped

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Let's learn Italian

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