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ITALIAN VERB

bisognare

to be necessary (bisogna, one has to)

  • #40 most used
  • Regular -are verb
  • Past participle: bisognato
  • Gerund: bisognando

Conjugation

Tap any form to hear it. The part that changes is in colour.

Present

Presente · now, habits and facts

  1. it is necessary

Past

Passato prossimo · finished actions: “ho parlato”

  1. it was necessary

Imperfect

Imperfetto · “used to” and “was …ing”

  1. it used to be necessary

Future

Futuro semplice · plans and guesses

  1. it will be necessary

Conditional

Condizionale · “would”, polite requests

  1. it would be necessary

Present subjunctive

Congiuntivo presente · wishes, doubts, “che …”

  1. (that) it be necessary

How to use bisognare

One sentence for each tense, the way people say it.

  1. Present

    Bisogna prenotare, il ristorante è sempre pieno.

    You have to book, the restaurant is always full.

  2. Past

    Alla fine è bisognato chiamare un idraulico.

    In the end we had to call a plumber.

  3. Imperfect

    Bisognava partire prima per evitare il traffico.

    We should have left earlier to avoid the traffic.

  4. Future

    Bisognerà comprare il pane prima che chiudano.

    We'll have to buy bread before they close.

  5. Conditional

    Bisognerebbe parlare con il proprietario di casa.

    Someone should talk to the landlord.

  6. Present subjunctive

    Non credo che bisogni portare il passaporto.

    I don't think you need to bring your passport.

Good to know

  • Bisogna is followed by an infinitive: bisogna prenotare.
  • With a person, bisogna che takes the subjunctive: bisogna che tu venga.
  • Avere bisogno di is "to need": ho bisogno di aiuto.

Verbs like this one

The same pattern, on other verbs: regular -are verb.