ben fatto
ben fatto is the Italian way to say well done.
ben fatto is an exclamation used to praise an achievement or an action. If you want to express appreciation for an achievement in an informal way, you can also use grande, which translates to great.
Meaning: exclamation of praise (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ben (a shortened form of bene, meaning well) and fatto (the past participle of fare, meaning done or made).
Which one should you use?
While ben fatto is used to praise an achievement, ben cotto is used specifically to describe food that is well cooked or well done.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form can change to agree with the gender of the noun you are praising. For example, if you are praising a specific feminine noun like una cosa, you can use the feminine form ben fatta.
Did you know?
- While ben fatto praises an achievement, the word fatto used alone is common Italian slang for being high on drugs.
- To sound like a local cheering for an athlete, you would shout Bravo! or Brava! to praise the person instead of using ben fatto to praise the deed.
- The word 'fatto' in the phrase comes from the Latin 'factum', which is also the root of the English word 'fact', meaning something that has been established or done.
Examples in context
- Ben fatto, amico mio.Well done, my friend.This sentence shows how to use ben fatto when addressing a single friend.Tatoeba #5346530 by Guybrush88, translation #2977939 by Hybrid
- Ben fatto! Non è male.Well done! That's not bad.This sentence shows how to use ben fatto to express that something is not bad.Tatoeba #2808947 by Guybrush88, translation #2460427 by Objectivesea
- Ben fatto, amici miei.Well done, my friends.This sentence shows how to use ben fatto when addressing multiple friends.Tatoeba #5346528 by Guybrush88, translation #2977938 by Hybrid
- Giulia, hai vinto la partita! Ben fatto!Giulia, you won the game! Well done!
- Luca, hai ottenuto il lavoro che volevi. Sei grande!Luca, you got the job you wanted. You're great!
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Giulia are talking about Giulia's recent piano recital.
- AlessandroHai suonato magnificamente oggi.You played magnificently today.
- GiuliaGrazie, sono molto felice.Thank you, I am very happy.
- AlessandroBen fatto, Giulia!Well done, Giulia!
- GiuliaSei molto gentile, Alessandro.You are very kind, Alessandro.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fatto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
