fare
/ˈfa.re/
The English phrase "make" is translated into Italian as fare.
The verb fare is used to mean both "to make" and "to do".
Meaning: to produce (verb)
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which distinguishes between the verbs "to do" and "to make", the Italian verb fare is used for both concepts.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the present indicative tense, the verb fare changes according to the subject: faccio for "I make/do", fai for "you make/do", fa for "he/she/it makes/does", facciamo for "we make/do", fate for "you (plural) make/do" and fanno for "they make/do".
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈfa.re/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italy, the phrase fare la scarpetta literally means 'to make the little shoe' but actually describes using a piece of bread to soak up the remaining sauce on a plate.
- You can use fare to describe the weather, such as in the phrase fa caldo for 'it is hot'. Instead of saying 'it is', Italians say 'it makes' hot.
- The Italian phrase fare un salto literally means 'to make a jump', but it is a very common way to say 'to drop by' or 'to pop in' somewhere quickly.
Examples in context
- Ce la posso fare.I can make it.Tatoeba #2552744 by Guybrush88, translation #2301271 by CK
- Voi ce la farete.You'll make it.Tatoeba #4200923 by Guybrush88, translation #2255376 by CK
- Noi ce la faremo.We will make it.Tatoeba #4200954 by Guybrush88, translation #2856046 by Amastan
- Il progetto sarà realizzato nei prossimi mesiThe project will be carried out in the coming months
- Il designer ha creato una nuova collezioneThe designer made a new collection
- L'azienda produce mobili di alta qualitàThe company manufactures high-quality furniture
- Facciamo una pizza stasera?Shall we make a pizza tonight?
- Mettiamo insieme una playlist per la festaLet's make a playlist for the party
- 656 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are in the kitchen planning a meal.
- AlessandroCosa vuoi fare per cena?What do you want to make for dinner?
- ChiaraVorrei fare una torta al cioccolato.I would like to make a chocolate cake.
- AlessandroPosso fare io il dolce?Can I make the dessert?
- ChiaraSì, grazie, Alessandro!Yes, thank you, Alessandro!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
