fare attenzione
/ˈfa.re at.tenˈt͡sjo.ne/word by word
To pay attention in Italian is fare attenzione.
The phrase fare attenzione means to listen or watch carefully in order to avoid danger or mistakes.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to to make attention.
Which one should you use?
While fare attenzione focuses on the specific action of paying attention, the alternative phrase stare attento is used to describe the state of being careful or alert.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say you are paying attention to something, you must use the preposition a (or its articulated forms such as al, alla or agli) after the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfa.re at.tenˈtsjo.ne/. The word has 5 syllables and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the verb pagare (which means to pay money) when translating this phrase. Instead, use fare attenzione.
Did you know?
- In Italian, attenzione can also mean 'courtesy' or 'thoughtfulness'. If someone describes a gift as un'attenzione, they are praising the kindness and care the person paid to the gesture.
- The word attenzione shares the same Latin root as the English word 'attention', but it is also the root for 'intend', as both relate to the act of stretching the mind toward an object.
- While fare attenzione means to pay attention, the verb fare is used in Italian for hundreds of common activities that English expresses with different verbs, such as 'to take' a walk (fare una passeggiata) or 'to take' a shower (fare la doccia).
Examples in context
- Dovresti fare attenzione alla sua storia.You should pay attention to his story.This sentence shows how to use fare attenzione to express paying attention to a story.Tatoeba #350508 by martin, translation #17632 by Swift
- Prego, presti attenzione alla spiegazione del professore.Please, pay attention to the professor's explanation.
- Ti preghiamo di fare attenzione ai dettagli durante questa riunione.We kindly ask you to pay attention to the details during this meeting.
- Stai attento, c'è una macchina che arriva.Be careful, there's a car coming.
- Fai caso a come si fa, così puoi farlo anche tu.Pay attention to how it's done, so you can do it too.
- Devi fare attenzione mentre guidi.You must pay attention while driving.
Example conversation
Walking through a busy street in the city.
- SofiaAlessandro, fai attenzione all'auto!Alessandro, pay attention to the car!
- AlessandroGrazie, Sofia, non l'avevo vista.Thanks, Sofia, I didn't see it.
- SofiaÈ meglio fare attenzione qui.It is better to pay attention here.
- AlessandroHai ragione, sarò più attento.You are right, I will be more careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry fare attenzione, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (fare, attenzione) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries attenzione, fare, fare attenzione, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
