pregare

to pray

verb preh-GAH-reh Rare

Origin: From Latin precari, 'to entreat'.

Also means

to beg, to request

Usage Note

Pregare covers both religious prayer (pregare Dio = to pray to God) and polite requests (ti prego = please / I beg you). Ti prego! is one of the most common ways to say 'please' in informal Italian, stronger and more personal than per favore.

Examples

"Ti prego di ascoltarmi con attenzione."

Natural Translation

I beg you to listen to me carefully.

Literal Translation

You I-beg of listen-to-me with attention.

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