The verb fare is one of the most versatile and widely used verbs in Italian. While its basic meanings are to do and to make, (for example fare una torta – to make a cake) it also appears in countless idiomatic expressions that extend far beyond these translations. Mastering these expressions will help you sound more natural and fluent in Italian.
In this guide, you’ll find 40 common expressions with fare, organised by language level to help you learn progressively. If you prefer, you can start by watching this video:
Since fare is an irregular verb, its conjugation does not follow regular patterns. Below, you’ll find the present tense forms, while at the end of this post, there’s a full conjugation table with all tenses. Be sure to listen to the video to hear the correct pronunciation.
Basic expressions with fare
Let’s start with the first group of expressions, perfect for complete beginners. If you’re new to learning Italian, these will help you build confidence and familiarity with the language.
The best way to make the most of this list is to choose a few expressions that are new to you and start using them actively—whether in your Italian class, in writing exercises, or even in casual conversations. Consistently incorporating them into your practice will help you remember them more easily and make your Italian sound more natural.
Essential elementary expressions with fare
Are you at the A2 level in Italian? Then you’re ready to take the next step with these expressions! They are still quite simple and easy to grasp, so a basic translation is all you need to start using them.
Which one do you like the most? Pick your favourite and challenge yourself to use it today—whether in a conversation, a message, or even by writing a short sentence in Italian. The more you practise, the more natural these expressions will feel!
Advanced expressions with fare
Now, let’s move on to more advanced expressions. At this level, you’ll encounter idiomatic phrases that go beyond direct translations. Some expressions have a clear English equivalent, while others are deeply rooted in Italian culture and don’t have a direct counterpart in English.
For example, fare il ponte refers to the Italian tradition of taking an extra day off between a public holiday and the weekend to create a long break—a concept that doesn’t have a specific term in English. These cultural nuances make learning idiomatic expressions especially fascinating, as they offer insight into Italian life and traditions.
In the list below, I’ve marked certain expressions with an asterisk (*) where a simple translation wouldn’t be enough. You’ll find detailed explanations for these at the end of the list. Take your time to explore them, and try incorporating a few into your conversations or writing!
Fare schifo:
This is an Italian expression that means “to be disgusting” or “to be awful.” It is used to describe something that is unpleasant, repulsive, or gives a strong negative reaction. It can refer to anything from bad food to a bad experience or something that just doesn’t sit well with you.
This expression is colloquial, meaning it’s informal and used in everyday conversations, but it’s not vulgar. It’s simply a way to express strong dislike without crossing into offensive language.
Here are a few examples:
- Food: “Questo piatto di pasta fa schifo!”
Translation: “This plate of pasta is disgusting!”
Here, it means the pasta tastes really bad, maybe undercooked or poorly made. - A situation: “La situazione in ufficio fa schifo, non c’è mai rispetto!”
Translation: “The situation at the office is awful, there’s never any respect!”
In this example, is the work environment that’s being described as horrible. - A person: “Quella persona mi fa schifo per come si comporta.”
Translation: “That person disgusts me because of the way they behave.”
This is about someone’s actions or character that cause a negative reaction.
In all of these cases, “fare schifo” is a way of strongly expressing disapproval or discomfort about something. It’s casual but can be quite emphatic!
Fare sul serio:
This means “to be serious” or “to take something seriously.” It’s used when you’re not joking or when something is important. It conveys a sense of commitment or sincerity. For example, “Stiamo facendo sul serio con questo progetto” means “We are taking this project seriously.”
Another example would be “Romeo e Giulietta fanno sul serio, non sono solo due adolescenti che si divertono!” This means “Romeo and Juliet are serious, they are not just two teenagers having fun!” Here, the expression emphasizes that their love is genuine and not something trivial.
The phrase can also be used in situations where someone shows they are fully dedicated to something, as opposed to just playing around.
Fare bella figura:
This means “to make a good impression” or “to look good.” It’s about presenting yourself well or behaving in a way that others appreciate. For example, ‘Luca ha fatto bella figura al colloquio’ means ‘Luca made a good impression at the interview.’
The term fare bella figura is deeply ingrained in Italian culture. I have dedicated a full blog post – Fare bella figura: to make a good impression – explaining the nuances of this expression.
Fare furore:
This expression translates to “to make a sensation” or “to be a hit.” It’s used when something or someone creates a lot of excitement, attention, or even admiration, usually in a positive way. For example, “Il film ha fatto furore” means “The movie was a huge success.” In this case, it suggests that the movie generated a lot of buzz and captured people’s attention.
However, it’s worth mentioning that “fare furore” is a bit outdated and is no longer as commonly used in modern Italian. Today, people might opt for more casual or contemporary expressions like “avere un successone” (to be a big success) or “spaccare” (to smash it, in a figurative sense), or to continue with the fare theme: “Fare centro”.
Fare il ponte:
This literally means “to make a bridge” but actually refers to taking an extended break by combining a public holiday with the weekend also taking an extra day in between.
For example, if a public holiday falls on a Thursday, some people might take the Friday off, creating a long weekend from Thursday to Sunday. It’s a popular way to enjoy a longer rest, often by “bridging” the holiday with a workday. This practice is common in Italy, especially when holidays fall near weekends.
Practice exercise
Use the correct expression with fare in each sentence:
- Stamattina ho deciso di fare ________________________ al bar con un cappuccino.
- Ieri sera siamo rimasti a chiacchierare fino a tardi, abbiamo fatto ________________________, e siamo andati a letto alle 2.
- Poiché dopodomani è un giorno festivo, ho deciso di fare ________________________ e prendermi una pausa extra.
- Oggi pomeriggio devo fare ________________________ per comprare alcuni regali di Natale.
- Durante il matrimonio, tutti hanno alzato il bicchiere per fare ________________________ alla salute degli sposi.
- Nel pomeriggio, mi piace sempre fare ________________________ al parco per rilassarmi un po’.
- Oggi ho tanto da fare, ma devo comunque ricordarmi di fare ________________________ perché la biancheria è tutta sporca.
- Mio fratello mi ha fatto ________________________ quando ha nascosto il mio telefono sotto il divano.
- Dopo il lavoro, ci siamo fermati per fare ________________________ con un amico che non vedevamo da tanto.
- C’era molta gente in posta, ho dovuto fare ________________________ per un’ora.
Solutions
- Stamattina ho deciso di fare colazione al bar con un cappuccino.
- Ieri sera siamo rimasti a chiacchierare fino a tardi, abbiamo fatto le ore piccole, e siamo andati a letto alle 2.
- Poiché dopodomani è un giorno festivo, ho deciso di fare ponte e prendermi una pausa extra.
- Oggi pomeriggio devo fare spese per comprare alcuni regali di Natale.
- Durante il matrimonio, tutti hanno alzato il bicchiere per fare un brindisi alla salute degli sposi.
- Nel pomeriggio, mi piace sempre fare una passeggiata al parco per rilassarmi un po’.
- Oggi ho tanto da fare, ma devo comunque ricordarmi di fare il bucato perché la biancheria è tutta sporca.
- Mio fratello mi ha fatto un dispetto quando ha nascosto il mio telefono sotto il divano.
- Dopo il lavoro, ci siamo fermati per fare due chiacchiere con un amico che non vedevamo da tanto.
- C’era molta gente in posta, ho dovuto fare la fila per un’ora.
