fare la bella vita
/ˈfa.re la ˈbɛl.la ˈvi.ta/word by word
The English phrase 'living the good life' is translated into Italian as fare la bella vita.
This phrase describes spending one's time and money on luxurious and pleasurable activities. It can carry a slightly judgmental connotation, implying that someone is being idle or spending too much money on pleasure rather than working.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, fare la bella vita means 'to do the beautiful life'.
Which one should you use?
You can also use the informal expression Vivere alla grande to mean living the good life.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈfa.re la ˈbɛl.la ˈvi.ta/. The stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word vita shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'quick', which originally meant 'alive'.
- While fare la bella vita focuses on luxury, Italians have a specific, famous expression, dolce far niente, to describe the art of doing nothing at all. It is a different kind of pleasure that does not require spending money.
- While fare la bella vita describes an active pursuit of luxury, Italians use the distinct phrase dolce far niente to describe the specific pleasure of doing absolutely nothing.
Examples in context
- Mi impegno per vivere bene ogni giorno.I strive to live the good life every day.
- Spero di avere una buona vita piena di felicità e successo.I hope to have a good life full of happiness and success.
- Stasera usciamo e viviamo alla grande!Tonight, let's go out and live the good life!
- Sono in vacanza e sto godendomi la vita al mare.I'm on vacation and I'm enjoying life at the seaside.
- Qui in Toscana sappiamo davvero goderci la bella vita.Here in Tuscany, we truly know how to enjoy the beautiful life.
- Dopo la pensione, vuole solo fare la bella vita.After retirement, he just wants to live the good life.
- Non voglio lavorare troppo, voglio solo fare la bella vita.I don't want to work too much, I just want to live the good life.
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are chatting at a cafe about a mutual friend.
- MatteoHai visto come Marco fa la bella vita in Grecia?Have you seen how Marco is living the good life in Greece?
- ChiaraSì, sembra proprio felice con tutto quel lusso.Yes, he seems really happy with all that luxury.
- MatteoVorrei poter fare la bella vita come lui.I wish I could live the good life like him.
- ChiaraDobbiamo lavorare sodo per meritarcelo!We have to work hard to deserve it!
