ricalcare

to trace over

verb ree-kahl-KAH-reh Rare

Origin: From ri- (again) + calcare (to press/tread), from Latin 'calcare'.

Also means

to follow closely

Usage Note

Ricalcare literally means to trace a drawing by pressing over it; figuratively it means to follow a model very closely — ricalcare le orme di qualcuno ('to follow in someone's footsteps'). Compound tenses use avere.

Examples

"Il pittore ricalca il disegno originale con cura."

Natural Translation

The painter traces over the original drawing carefully.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Most Common Italian Verbs: The 10 That Unlock Speech

Drill these 10 most common Italian verbs first and you unlock past tense, modals, and the progressive — a 7-day plan with every present-tense form to memorize.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Diminutives: -ino, -etto, -one Explained

Italian diminutives like -ino, -etto, and -one signal size, affection, or contempt. Learn to read the feeling, dodge gender flips, and spot false diminutives.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Tu vs Lei: Formal & Informal "You" in Italian

When in doubt, use Lei. Here's exactly when to use tu vs Lei in Italian — the who-to-use-with map, the verb and possessive shifts, and how to switch politely.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Avere Fame: Why Italians "Have" Hunger, Not "Are"

In Italian you say Ho fame (I have hunger), never sono fame. Learn the avere + noun rule for fame, freddo, paura, age, and the sono caldo trap to avoid.

June 5, 2026 5 min read