The Italian verb uscire is one of the most frequently used irregular verbs, translating to ‘to go out,’ ‘to exit,’ or ‘to leave’ depending on context. Mastering its conjugation unlocks natural expression in daily conversations, from planning evenings out to describing departures. This guide provides detailed tables, real-world examples, and tips to help learners at all levels integrate it seamlessly into their Italian skills.

Understanding the Core Meanings of Uscire

Uscire is incredibly versatile. It primarily means ‘to go out’ for social activities, like esco con gli amici (I’m going out with friends). It also signifies ‘to exit’ a physical space, such as esce dalla porta (he exits through the door), or ‘to leave’ a location, e.g., usciamo di casa (we’re leaving the house). Additional nuances include emerging from situations (uscire da un problema – to get out of a problem) or publications coming out (il libro esce domani – the book comes out tomorrow).

Its intransitive nature means it pairs with essere in compound tenses, requiring past participle agreement in gender and number: sono uscita (feminine ‘I went out’).

Present Tense Conjugation: Everyday Actions

In the present tense, uscire shows irregularity with stem changes from ‘usc-‘ to ‘esc-‘ for io, tu, lui/lei, and loro forms. Use this for current habits or plans.

PronounConjugation
Ioesco
Tuesci
Lui/Leiesce
Noiusciamo
Voiuscite
Loroescono

Examples:

  • Io esco spesso la sera. (I often go out in the evening.)
  • Tu esci dalla stanza? (Are you exiting the room?)
  • Lui esce di scuola alle tre. (He leaves school at three.)

Passato Prossimo: Talking About Recent Exits

For recent past actions, combine essere with past participle uscito (usciti/uscita/uscate for agreement).

PronounMasculineFeminine
Iosono uscitosono uscita
Tusei uscitosei uscita
Lui/Leiè uscitoè uscita
Noisiamo uscitisiamo uscite
Voisiete uscitisiete uscite
Lorosono uscitisono uscite

Examples:

  • Siamo usciti ieri sera. (We went out last night.)
  • Lei è uscita dal lavoro presto. (She left work early.)

Imperfetto: Habitual or Ongoing Past

The imperfect tense describes repeated actions or background states, with regular stem usciv-.

PronounConjugation
Iouscivo
Tuuscivi
Lui/Leiusciva
Noiuscivamo
Voiuscivate
Lorouscivano

Examples:

  • Da bambino uscivo ogni pomeriggio. (As a child, I went out every afternoon.)
  • Noi uscivamo da scuola insieme. (We used to leave school together.)

Future and Conditional Forms for Plans and Hypotheticals

Uscire in futuro semplice (usciro, uscirai, ecc.) expresses future intentions. Conditional (uscirei) is for polite requests or hypotheticals.

TenseIoTuLui/LeiNoiVoiLoro
Futurouscirusciraiuscirusciremouscireteusciranno
Condizionaleuscireiuscirestiuscirebbeusciremmousciresteuscirebbero

Examples:

  • Uscir stasera se piove meno. (I’ll go out tonight if it rains less.)
  • Usciresti con me? (Would you go out with me?)

Subjunctive and Imperative: Expressing Desires and Commands

Subjunctive presente mirrors present irregularities: che io esca, che tu esca, ecc. Imperative: esci! (tu), uscite! (voi).

Examples:

  • Voglio che tu esca subito. (I want you to get out right away.)
  • Esci! Non entrare pi. (Get out! Don’t come back in.)

Prepositions with Uscire: Di vs. Da

Uscire di for leaving enclosed places like home or school: esco di casa. Uscire da for emerging from something: esce da una crisi or specific exits like windows. Note: Use scendere da for vehicles.

  • Uscire di prigione (get out of prison)
  • Uscire da scuola (exit school)

Common Expressions and Idioms

Uscire shines in idioms:

  • Uscire di testa (go crazy)
  • Uscire con qualcuno (date someone, esp. in progressive: sto uscendo con…)
  • Uscire a cena (go out to dinner)
  • Non me ne uscire (I can’t get out of it)

These add flair to conversations.

Gerund and Participles for Advanced Use

Gerund: uscendo (while going out). Past participle: uscito/a/i/e. Example: Uscendo di casa, ho visto un amico (While leaving home, I saw a friend).

Practice Exercises to Reinforce Learning

Test yourself:

  1. Conjugate in presente: Io _____ (uscire) ogni weekend.
  2. Passato prossimo (fem.): Lei _____ (uscire) dalla festa.
  3. Fill: Voglio che loro _____ (uscire) presto.

Answers: 1. esco; 2. ; 3. escano.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is ‘uscire’ regular or irregular?

Irregular, especially in present and subjunctive with ‘esc-‘ stem changes.

What auxiliary verb does ‘uscire’ use?

Essere in compound tenses, with participle agreement.

Can ‘uscire con’ mean ‘to date’?

Yes, particularly in progressive: Sto uscendo con Maria (I’m dating Maria).

Di or da after uscire?

Di for places like casa; da for situations or specific exits.

How to say ‘go out for drinks’?

Uscire a bere qualcosa.

References

  1. The Verb ‘Uscire’ in Italian – Smart Italian Learning — ItalianPills. 2023. https://italianpills.com/uscire-italian/
  2. 2Uscire2 Conjugation: A Comprehensive Guide — Clozemaster. 2023. https://www.clozemaster.com/blog/uscire-conjugation/
  3. Conjugate Uscire in Italian — LanguagePosters.com. 2024. https://languageposters.com/pages/italian-verbs-uscire-conjugation
  4. Conjugation verb uscire in Italian — Reverso Conjugator. 2024. https://conjugator.reverso.net/conjugation-italian-verb-uscire.html
  5. [Italian Verbs] Learn 3 BASIC Tenses for verb USCIRE — YouTube (LearnAmo). 2022-10-15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db_WNYAY0bw
Written by
Sneha Tete
  • Integrated M.A. in Applied Linguistics, University of Hyderabad
  • 5+ years in editorial, instructional, SEO, and research-based writing

Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to theskillvault,  crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living. Her writing and insights reflect the belief that beauty, happiness, and wellness…