tendere
tend
The Italian word 'tendere' is used in a similar way to the English word 'tend'. It can be used to express a general inclination or propensity towards a certain action or state. For example, 'Tendo ad essere puntuale' means 'I tend to be punctual'. However, it can also be used in a more literal sense to mean 'to stretch' or 'to extend', as in 'Tendere una mano' which means 'to extend a hand'.
Example sentences using: tendere
Vorrei tendere la mano alla pace.
I would like to extend my hand to peace.
In this sentence, 'tendere' is used to symbolically represent the action of offering or extending peace. This is a common usage of 'tendere' in both formal and informal Italian.
Dovresti tendere a migliorarti ogni giorno.
You should aim to improve yourself every day.
Here, 'tendere' is used to express the idea of aiming or striving for something. It can imply both a direction or goal, and a continuous, ongoing effort.
Lui stava cercando di tendere una trappola.
He was trying to set a trap.
In this example, 'tendere' is used in the sense of setting up or laying something. It may refer to a physical setting up, but it could also mean 'setting up' in a figurative sense, as in setting up a situation or event.