Andare o Venire? Andare and venire are two of the most important verbs in Italian, and they creep up in conversation and in reading quite a bit. However, it wasn’t until recently when I used them incorrectly during an Italian conversation class, that I thought that it was a good topic to discuss. In English, we’re pretty loose with how we use coming and going, but in Italian, you have to be careful which you chose because it can affect the meaning of your sentences. Let’s look at what these two verbs mean:

Andare means “to go“, but more specifically it is movement towards a place. It’s important to note that the person to whom you are speaking is not included of your movement. Vado al cinema con Alessio. Vorresti venire con noi? I’m going to the cinema with Alessio. Would you like to come with us?

When followed by an infinitive, the preposition, a, must be used: andare a + infinitive.

Venire means “to come“, but more specifically, it means moving and going towards a place where the person to whom you are speaking is located. Vengo a Londra, Vittoria. Hai organizzato qualcosa? I’m coming to London, Victoria. Have you organized anything? (where the person to whom you are speaking is already located) When followed by an infinitive, the preposition, a, must be used: venire a + infinitive.

Sometimes, seeing the verbs used in their context can help to explain better the grammar — let’s look at this conversation below between two friends, Marta and Enrico: Marta: Enrico, vai al cinema stasera? Marta: Enrico, are you going to the cinema tonight? Enrico: Sì, certo. Devo vedere il nuovo film di Tarantino. Volete venire?

Enrico: Yes, of course. I have to see the new Tarantino film. Do you want come? Marta: Beato te! Purtroppo non possiamo venire. Mia suocera viene da Milano stasera, e mio marito e io andiamo a cenare fuori con lei. Marta: Lucky you! Unfortunately, we can’t come. My mother-in-law is coming from Milan this evening, and my husband and I are going to dine out with her. Enrico: Peccato che non veniate al cinema.

Enrico: It’s a pity you are not coming. Marta: Forse mio marito e io ci andremo questo fine settimana. Buon film e divertiti! Marta: Perhaps my husband and I will go this weekend. Enjoy the film and enjoy yourself!

In the first sentence, if Marta had said vieni instead of vai, she would have been implying that she, too, would have been at the cinema. Using andare, signals that she and Enrico will not be at the same location.

In the second sentence, Enrico asks “Volete venire?“, which means “Do you want to come with me to the theater?” If Enrico had asked “Volete andare?“, what he is really asking is “Do you also want to go to the movies, but not with me?” You might ask “Vuoi andare?” if you are asking if the person really want to go to see the film, not with the speaker.