Meaning
to distort, to tamper
- to affect, to impair
- to alter, to change
In a sentence
Non alterare i dati del file, per favore.
Don't tamper with the file data, please.
Il caldo ha alterato il mio umore oggi.
The heat affected my mood today.
Hai alterato la foto prima di mandarla?
Did you alter the photo before sending it?
Word forms (48)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| alterare | infinitive |
| alteriamo | indicative · present · plural · 1st person |
| altero | indicative · present · singular · 1st person |
| alterate | indicative · present · plural · 2nd person |
| alteri | indicative · present · singular · 2nd person |
| alterano | indicative · present · plural · 3rd person |
| altera | indicative · present · singular · 3rd person |
| alteravamo | indicative · imperfect · plural · 1st person |
| alteravo | indicative · imperfect · singular · 1st person |
| alteravate | indicative · imperfect · plural · 2nd person |
| alteravi | indicative · imperfect · singular · 2nd person |
| alteravano | indicative · imperfect · plural · 3rd person |
| alterava | indicative · imperfect · singular · 3rd person |
| alterammo | indicative · past · plural · 1st person |
| alterai | indicative · past · singular · 1st person |
| alteraste | indicative · past · plural · 2nd person |
| alterasti | indicative · past · singular · 2nd person |
| alterarono | indicative · past · plural · 3rd person |
| alterò | indicative · past · singular · 3rd person |
| altereremo | indicative · future · plural · 1st person |
| altererò | indicative · future · singular · 1st person |
| altererete | indicative · future · plural · 2nd person |
| altererai | indicative · future · singular · 2nd person |
| altereranno | indicative · future · plural · 3rd person |
| altererà | indicative · future · singular · 3rd person |
| alteriamo | subjunctive · present · plural · 1st person |
| alteri | subjunctive · present · singular · 1st person |
| alteriate | subjunctive · present · plural · 2nd person |
| alteri | subjunctive · present · singular · 2nd person |
| alterino | subjunctive · present · plural · 3rd person |
| alteri | subjunctive · present · singular · 3rd person |
| alterassimo | subjunctive · imperfect · plural · 1st person |
| alterassi | subjunctive · imperfect · singular · 1st person |
| alteraste | subjunctive · imperfect · plural · 2nd person |
| alterassi | subjunctive · imperfect · singular · 2nd person |
| alterassero | subjunctive · imperfect · plural · 3rd person |
| alterasse | subjunctive · imperfect · singular · 3rd person |
| altereremmo | conditional · present · plural · 1st person |
| altererei | conditional · present · singular · 1st person |
| alterereste | conditional · present · plural · 2nd person |
| altereresti | conditional · present · singular · 2nd person |
| altererebbero | conditional · present · plural · 3rd person |
| altererebbe | conditional · present · singular · 3rd person |
| alteriamo | imperative · plural · 1st person |
| alterate | imperative · plural · 2nd person |
| altera | imperative · singular · 2nd person |
| alterando | gerund |
| alterato | past · participle |
Usage notes
- Often more formal than cambiare. Use alterare for modifying or compromising something, not for everyday changes like changing plans or clothes.
- Common in negative contexts: alterare dati, prove, risultati. It often suggests improper manipulation, not a neutral adjustment.
- With health or function, it means impair: alterare l'equilibrio, alterare la memoria. English speakers often overuse cambiare here.