Assumere vs. ingaggiare

The Italian verbs 'assumere' and 'ingaggiare' both relate to hiring workers, but they have subtle differences in usage and connotation.

Assumere

'Assumere' is the more formal and general term for hiring someone, typically used in professional or corporate contexts. It often implies a long-term, official employment relationship.
L'azienda ha deciso di assumere dieci nuovi impiegati per l'ufficio marketing.
(The company has decided to hire ten new employees for the marketing office.)
Sono stato assunto come ingegnere presso una multinazionale.
(I was hired as an engineer at a multinational company.)

Ingaggiare

'Ingaggiare' often implies hiring for a specific task, project, or short-term engagement. It's commonly used in entertainment, sports, or freelance contexts.
Il regista ha ingaggiato un famoso attore per il suo nuovo film.
(The director has hired a famous actor for his new movie.)
La squadra di calcio ha ingaggiato un nuovo allenatore per la prossima stagione.
(The soccer team has hired a new coach for the next season.)

Summary

While both 'assumere' and 'ingaggiare' mean 'to hire', 'assumere' is more formal and typically used for long-term employment in professional settings, whereas 'ingaggiare' often refers to hiring for specific projects or short-term engagements, especially in creative or sports fields.