congelare

to freeze

verb kon-jeh-LAH-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin congelare, from con- + gelare (to freeze).

Also means

to freeze (assets)

Usage Note

Congelare takes avere as its auxiliary and is used both literally (freezing food — congelare la carne) and figuratively in legal/financial language (congelare i beni — 'to freeze assets'). The reflexive congelarsi means 'to freeze solid'. Note: Italian uses gelo for natural freezing cold and congelatore for the freezer appliance.

Examples

"Ho congelato il pane per domani."

Natural Translation

I froze the bread for tomorrow.

Literal Translation

I-have frozen the bread for tomorrow.

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