rifugiare

to take refuge

verb ree-foo-JAH-reh Rare

Also means

to shelter

Usage Note

Rifugiarsi is the reflexive form used almost exclusively: si sono rifugiati (they took refuge), with essere as auxiliary. The non-reflexive rifugiare (to shelter someone) is rare. The noun rifugiato (refugee) derives directly from the past participle and is one of the most politically current words in contemporary Italian.

Examples

"Si sono rifugiati in un bunker."

Natural Translation

They took refuge in a bunker.

Literal Translation

Themselves they-are refuged in a bunker.

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