3.3.3: Cosa fai di bello?
- Page ID
- 341179
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Il verbo fare: To Do, To Make, and So Much More
What does fare mean? The verb fare is one of the most commonly used verbs in Italian. It means to do or to make, but it also appears in many idiomatic expressions where English uses different verbs like take, have, or go.
- Conjugate the irregular verb fare and use it to describe common actions (e.g., fare colazione, fare i compiti)
- Recognize how fare replaces other verbs in idiomatic expressions (e.g., to do, make, have, or go)
- Use vocabulary related to hobbies, routines, and personal habits in conversation
Conjugation of fare in the Present Tense
Take a look at the table below to learn how fare is conjugated in the present tense. You’ll refer back to this often as you build your vocabulary and fluency.
| Subject Pronoun | Verb Form |
|---|---|
| io | faccio |
| tu | fai |
| lui / lei / Lei | fa |
| noi | facciamo |
| voi | fate |
| loro | fanno |
In Conversation
A great way to get to know someone in Italian is by asking:
Che cosa fai?
What do you do? / What are you doing?
You can personalize it with a time expression:
Che cosa fai il martedì sera?
What do you do on Tuesday evenings?
Example Response:
Studio, ceno con Paola e guardo la TV.
I study, have dinner with Paola, and watch TV.
Expressions with fare
The verb fare appears in many common expressions that describe daily habits, routines, and experiences. Even when English uses a different verb, Italian often keeps fare. Use the tables below as a reference as you explore how versatile this verb can be.
Daily Actions
The expressions in the table below describe everyday routines and chores. Notice how fare is used with nouns to express actions you do each day.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| fare colazione | to have breakfast |
| fare la doccia | to take a shower |
| fare il bagno | to take a bath |
| fare i compiti | to do homework |
| fare la spesa | to go grocery shopping |
| fare le spese / fare shopping | to go shoppi |
Free Time & Activities
The following table shows expressions with fare used for hobbies and leisure time. Many describe ways Italians spend time relaxing, exploring, or being social.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| fare una passeggiata / due passi | to take a walk |
| fare fotografie | to take pictures |
| fare un viaggio | to take a trip |
| fare una gita | to take a short trip |
| fare due chiacchiere | to chat |
| fare le prove | to rehearse |
| fare un salto | to swing by / stop by |
Other Common Expressions
The following expressions use fare in a variety of everyday situations, including travel, appointments, punctuality, and serious intentions. Many are idiomatic and commonly used in daily Italian conversation.
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| fare un esame | to take an exam |
| fare la valigia | to pack (a suitcase) |
| fare la fila / la coda | to stand in line |
| fare attenzione | to pay attention |
| fare tardi | to be late / stay out late |
| fare sul serio | to mean it / get serious |
Il tempo e il verbo fare
In Italian, fare is also used to describe the weather:
Che tempo fa? — What’s the weather like?
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| Fa caldo | It’s hot |
| Fa freddo | It’s cold |
| Fa bel tempo | The weather is nice |
| Fa brutto tempo | The weather is bad |
| Fa fresco | It’s cool |
| Fa vento | It’s windy |
Examples in Context
-
Quando fa bel tempo, faccio una passeggiata nel parco.
(When the weather is nice, I take a walk in the park.) -
Quando fa brutto tempo, resto a casa e leggo un libro.
(When the weather is bad, I stay home and read a book.) -
D’estate Maria e Giuseppe fanno sempre un viaggio esotico.
(In summer, Maria and Giuseppe always take an exotic trip.) -
Mi piace fare regali ai miei genitori per il loro anniversario.
(I like giving gifts to my parents for their anniversary.) -
Maria fa la spesa una volta alla settimana.
(Maria goes grocery shopping once a week.) -
Marco non fa mai colazione la mattina, ma fa uno spuntino a metà mattina.
(Marco never eats breakfast in the morning, but he has a snack mid-morning.) -
Non mi piace fare tardi. Se facciamo tardi, perdiamo il bus.
(I don’t like being late. If we’re late, we miss the bus.) -
Se facciamo presto, non perdiamo il treno.
(If we hurry, we won’t miss the train.) -
Marco fa sempre fotografie ai suoi figli.
(Marco always takes pictures of his children.) -
Mi fa male la testa.
(My head hurts.) -
Oggi fa molto caldo, ci sono quasi 40 gradi!
(Today it’s very hot — it’s nearly 40 degrees!) -
Faccio la doccia tutte le mattine.
(I take a shower every morning.)
Answer the questions using fare expressions:
-
Che cosa fai la mattina prima di uscire?
-
Fai spesso la spesa?
-
Quando fai i compiti?
-
Che tempo fa oggi nella tua città?
Create a short dialogue with a partner using at least 3 idiomatic expressions with fare.
In Italy, people often use expressions with fare to describe routines, plans, and everyday life. It’s a key verb that will help you sound natural and understand conversations better. Listen for it when watching Italian media or chatting with native speakers!