We've talked about the verb correre before (check out this lesson). It's a verb that means a great many things so you'll want to be familiar with it. But in this lesson, we want to talk about correre meaning "to run," "to race," and "to rush."

Correre can be a bit confusing in the context of sports.

Correre can mean "to run." Some people say fare footing, but footing has gone out of style, for the most part. 

Sì, tu invece sveglia all'alba, a correre... -Certo. -Scusa, non hai sempre detto che sono patetici quelli che fanno footing a una certa età?

Yes, but you, up at dawn, running... -Of course. -Excuse me, haven't you always said that those who go running at a certain age are pathetic?

Captions 37-39, Provaci ancora prof! S2E3 Dietro la porta - Part 1

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When I say, vado a correre, that usually means "I'm going running (on foot)."

Someone might ask you where you were:

Dov'eri? -A correre.

Where were you? -Out running. 

So it's good to keep in mind that you need the preposition a before the verb in the infinitive. 

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Correre can also refer to bicycle racing. Lots of people ride bikes, but when you are part of a racing team, even an amateur racing team, you are un corridore or, if you are a female, una corridora or una corritrice.

If you just ride a bike for fun or sport but you don't compete, you'll usually call yourself un ciclista or una ciclista. 

Monte Pellegrino è anche un luogo d'incontro di molti sportivi, specie i ciclisti, che amano le ripide salite e discese.

Monte Pellegrino is also a place for sportsmen to get together, especially cyclists, who love the steep climbs and descents.

Captions 20-21, Adriano Monte Pellegrino

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Or you can say something like, Mi piace andare in bici.

Andare in bicicletta è veramente divertente.

Riding a bike is really fun.

Caption 31, In giro per l'Italia Lucca - Part 3

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It's common, when referring to a bike ride, to say fare un giro in bici/bicicletta (to go for a bike ride).

Faccio un giro in bici (I'm going for a bike ride).

Poter andare a fare un giro in bicicletta dove mi pare a me [sic], mi piace tanto.

To be able to go for a ride on my bike wherever I want, I like that a lot.

Caption 21, Fuori era primavera Viaggio nell'Italia del lockdown - Part 16

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Correre can also refer to rushing around without having anything to do with bicycles or running.

Dove corri, Pisane'? -Tengo [napoletano: ho] da fare.

Where are you rushing off to, Pisane'? -I have stuff to do.

Captions 34-35, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone EP4 Gelo - Part 13

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The noun form is la corsa. It can be a race of any kind. 

E per gli amanti delle camminate, ogni sabato mattina alle nove c'è la possibilità di partecipare al "Park Run", la corsa che si svolge sulle mura di Lucca.

And for those who love to walk, every Saturday morning at nine, there's the possibility of participating in "Park Run," the race that happens on the walls of Lucca.

Captions 39-42, In giro per l'Italia Lucca - Part 4

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E si vede un'incredibile scena di corsa di carri,

And you see an incredible chariot race scene,

Caption 9, Meraviglie EP. 4 - Part 12

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Another word for race is gara, which can also mean "competition."

La gara più importante era una corsa tra cavalli.

The most important competition was a horse race.

Caption 29, In giro per l'Italia Roma Piazza Navona

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You can also use the noun la corsa when you have raced around trying to get stuff done. 

Ho fatto una corsa (I came in a hurry/I ran around).

Or you can say this a different way.

Sono di corsa (I am pressed for time). 

As you can see, correre, together with its related words, is very useful in many contexts!

Thanks for reading!

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Let's look at the common noun il passo. It's used in a variety of ways in Italian. Let's keep in mind, however, that passo is also the first-person singular of the verb passare (to pass). That's not what this lesson is about. 

We usually translate il passo with "the step."

Questo è soltanto il primo passo.

This is just the first step.

Caption 1, Adriano Olivetti - La forza di un sogno Ep.2

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Che vuoi fa' [romanesco: fare]?

What can you do?

Un passo avanti e due indietro come i gamberi, fanno.

One step forward and two backwards, as shrimp do.

Caption 35, Il Commissario Manara - S2EP2 - L'addio di Lara

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Bene. Allora, Anna, io direi che secondo me è il momento giusto

Good. So, Anna, I would say that in my opinion, it's the right moment

per spiegare passo per passo come realizzare questa ricetta.

to explain, step by step how to make this recipe.

Captions 92-93, L'Italia a tavola - Tonnarelli cacio e pepe

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Here's some great advice in just about any situation:

Un passo alla volta...

One step at a time...

Caption 52, La linea verticale - EP1 - Part 4

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Although we can translate "a passage" with un passaggio, we can also use un passo.

La figurazione della fontana

The figures depicted on the fountain

è tratta da un passo della Bibbia.

are taken from a passage from the Bible.

Caption 87, In giro per l'Italia - Roma Piazza Navona

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But that's not the whole story on passo.

Al passo means "at a walk" when we're talking about the gait of a horse or other animal.

...e si fa al passo o al galoppo, il volteggio. -Meraviglioso.

...and vaulting is done at a walk or at a canter. -Marvelous.

Caption 48, Francesca - Cavalli

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Il passo can be "the pace" or "the rate."

E io non so se mi metterò al passo con lei.

I don't know if I will be able to keep up with her [to go at her pace].

Caption 27, Il Commissario Manara - S2EP9 - L'amica ritrovata

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Se continuiamo di questo passo non mi meraviglierei.

If we keep going at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised.

Caption 51, Imma Tataranni Sostituto procuratore - S1EP1 L'estate del dito

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One way to take a walk is "to take two steps." It's a casual way to say it.

Faccio due passi.

I'm going to step out.

Caption 26, I Bastardi di Pizzofalcone - EP1 I Bastardi

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In fact, "2 steps" is also synonymous with "a short distance." So when something is a short distance away, we can say it's a due passi. (literally, "two steps away").

Sta qui a due passi, Luca.

It's right near here, Luca.

Caption 47, Il Commissario Manara - S1EP6 - Reazione a Catena

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Other meanings:

Il passo can also be a pass in the mountains or in a river, just like in English.

When you need to buy some screws (le viti) at a hardware store, the clerk might ask you quale passo or che passo?  He or she is talking about the threading. The word for threading is filettatura, from il filo (the thread) or filare (to thread).