What does it mean word for word?
The verb divertirsi is reflexive, which means it literally translates to 'to amuse oneself'.
Which one should you use?
While divertirsi is the infinitive form used to mean 'to have fun', other forms are used when speaking directly to people. Use divertiti to tell one person to have fun, or divertitevi to tell a group of people to have fun. You can also use the phrase buon divertimento to mean 'have fun'. For an idiomatic way to say 'have a great time', you can use Divertiti alla grande.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms change depending on whether you are using a command or an infinitive. divertiti is the imperative singular, divertitevi is the imperative plural and si diverta is the formal imperative singular. You can also use divertiti! as a standalone exclamation to a single person.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /di.verˈtir.si/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- The root of divertirsi comes from the Latin divertere, meaning 'to turn away'. In this context, having fun is literally seen as 'turning away' from one's routine or worries.
- In many Italian regions, if someone tells you divertiti before a task that is actually difficult, like an exam or a long flight, they are using irony to acknowledge the struggle ahead.
- Depending on the region, Italians might use spassarsi as a more colloquial or slang-heavy alternative to divertirsi when describing a time of wild or unrestrained fun.
Examples in context
- È ora di divertirsi.It's time to have fun.This sentence shows how to use divertirsi to say it is time to have fun.Tatoeba #5007932 by Guybrush88, translation #5006417 by CK
- È pronto a divertirsi?Are you ready to have fun?This sentence uses divertirsi to ask if someone is ready to have fun.Tatoeba #2565852 by Guybrush88, translation #2565843 by Hybrid
- A Tom piace divertirsi.Tom likes to have fun.This sentence uses divertirsi to state that someone likes to have fun.Tatoeba #4247667 by Guybrush88, translation #1164460 by CK
- Divertiti alla cena di gala stasera!Have fun at the gala dinner tonight!
- Buon divertimento a Venezia!Have fun in Venice!
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco is leaving for a party.
- FrancescoVado alla festa di Marco!I'm going to Marco's party!
- GiuliaOttimo, vai a divertirsi!Great, go have fun!
- FrancescoGrazie, Giulia! A domani.Thanks, Giulia! See you tomorrow.
- GiuliaA domani, Francesco!See you tomorrow, Francesco!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry divertirsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
