fare l'amore
To make love in Italian is fare l'amore.
The phrase fare l'amore is used to describe engaging in sexual intercourse.
Meaning: to engage in sexual intercourse (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is composed of the verb fare (to do or make) and the noun amore (love) accompanied by a definite article.
Which one should you use?
While fare l'amore is a romantic and euphemistic way to describe the act, fare sesso is used when one wants to be more direct or clinical.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you are making love with someone, use the preposition con (fare l'amore con [qualcuno]) rather than the English construction of making love 'to' someone.
When do people say it?
If you wish to use an informal idiomatic expression to imply making love, you can say andare a letto insieme, which means to go to bed together.
Did you know?
- Italian has a specific word, scopare, which is the vulgar equivalent of 'to fuck', and is used in contexts where fare l'amore would be far too romantic.
- In Italian, the word amore is often used as a term of endearment like 'honey' or 'sweetheart', meaning you can say ciao, amore to a partner without any sexual connotation.
- The verb fare in fare l'amore is inherited from the Late Latin fāre.
Examples in context
- Ti ho insegnato a fare l'amore.I taught you how to make love.Tatoeba #10704282 by felidad, translation #10703798 by felidad
- Non devi fare l'amore con me, se non vuoi.You don't have to make love to me if you don't want to.Tatoeba #11593115 by Nuel, translation #11593114 by Nuel
- Mi piacerebbe fare l'amore con te sotto le stelle stasera.I'd like to make love to you under the stars tonight.Tatoeba #13683978 by Nuel, translation #13683976 by Nuel
- Vorrei fare l'amore con teI would like to make love with you
- Vuoi fare sesso con me?Do you want to have sex with me?
- Sei invitato a cenare da me, e poi possiamo andare a letto insiemeYou are invited for dinner at my place, and then we can go to bed together
- Sei la persona più speciale che abbia mai incontrato. Vorrei tanto fare l'amore con te, perché ti amo con tutto il mio cuore.You are the most special person I have ever met. I would love to make love with you because I love you with all my heart.
Example conversation
A couple is sharing a romantic moment at home.
- GiuliaVoglio solo fare l'amore con te.I only want to make love with you.
- MatteoAnche io, Giulia, non vedo l'ora.Me too, Giulia, I can't wait.
- GiuliaÈ un momento così speciale.It is such a special moment.
- MatteoSei bellissima stasera.You are beautiful tonight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “make love” translations and entries fare l'amore, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
