Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| godere | /ɡoˈde.re/ |
| fare con piacere | /ˈfa.re kon pjaˈt͡ʃe.re/ (word by word) |
| gioire | /d͡ʒoˈi.re/ |
| divertirsi | /di.verˈtir.si/ |
The Italian language uses different expressions for enjoyment depending on whether you are experiencing a deep pleasure, performing a task or having fun socially.
Which one should you use?
Godere translates to 'to enjoy' or 'to experience pleasure' and is typically used for a deeper, more intense or even physical sense of enjoyment. In contrast, divertirsi is used for having fun or social enjoyment. Fare con piacere is used specifically to mean 'to do with pleasure' when expressing a willingness to perform a task.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using godere to mean enjoying a benefit, a right or a specific thing, it is typically followed by the preposition di.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /ɡoˈde.re/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using godere for everyday enjoyment, such as enjoying a meal. Instead, use divertirsi for social fun.
Did you know?
- In modern Italian, godere can carry a strong sexual connotation if used without a specific object. Using it vaguely to describe pleasure can sound suggestive to native speakers.
- To say 'enjoy your meal', Italians do not use any of the verbs for 'enjoy'. Instead, they say buon appetito, which literally means 'good appetite'.
- While godere and gioire both mean 'to enjoy' or 'to rejoice', they are actually the same word. Godere came directly from Latin and gioire was borrowed later from French.
Examples in context
- Si ricordi di divertirsi.Remember to enjoy yourself.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use divertirsi to suggest someone have fun.Tatoeba #10829838 by Guybrush88, translation #5738005 by CM
- Dovrebbe provare a divertirsi.You should try to enjoy yourself.This sentence shows a suggestion to use divertirsi to try and have a good time.Tatoeba #4421277 by Guybrush88, translation #3402249 by CK
- Provò a divertirsi alla festa.He tried to enjoy himself at the party.This sentence demonstrates the use of divertirsi in the context of a social event like a party.Tatoeba #9704797 by Guybrush88, translation #8536423 by CH
- Auguro un buon divertimento.I wish you a good time.
- Divertiti!Enjoy!
- Buon divertimento!Have fun!
- Goditela!Enjoy it!
- Buon appetito!Enjoy your meal!
- Sono felice di passare questa giornata con te. Godiamocela!I am happy to spend this day with you. Let's enjoy it!
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are relaxing in a beautiful garden.
- FrancescoDobbiamo godere di questo sole oggi.We must enjoy this sun today.
- MartinaHai ragione, Francesco, è una giornata splendida.You are right, Francesco, it is a splendid day.
- FrancescoVoglio solo godere del silenzio qui.I just want to enjoy the silence here.
- MartinaAnch'io, Martina è finalmente rilassata.Me too, Martina is finally relaxed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “enjoy” translations and entries godere, gioire, divertirsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (fare, con, piacere) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, fare, gioire, godere, piacere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
