intrattenere

to entertain

verb een-traht-teh-NEH-reh Rare

Also means

to keep occupied

Usage Note

Intrattenere is an irregular verb conjugated like tenere: present intrattiene, past participle intrattenuto. It takes avere as auxiliary. The reflexive intrattenersi means 'to linger' or 'to dwell on a topic'. The noun is intrattenimento (entertainment). Do not confuse with trattenere (to hold back/detain).

Examples

"Il comico ha intrattenuto il pubblico per ore."

Natural Translation

The comedian entertained the audience for hours.

Literal Translation

The comedian has entertained the audience for hours.

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