Mastering Italian: Most Common Phrases with the Verb ‘Fare’

Besides being an irregular verb, the verb ‘fare’ is used in Italian in numerous useful expressions. Let’s explore some of them:

Fare i compiti: to do the homework

Fare le pulizie: to do the chores

Fare un biglietto: to buy a ticket

Fare una passeggiata: to go for a walk

Fare un giro: to go around

Fare una fotografia: to take a picture

Fare colazione: to eat breakfast

Fare la spesa: to buy groceries

Fare shopping: to go shopping

Fare la valigia (le valigie): to pack

Fare pace: to make peace

Fare il compleanno: to have a birthday

Fare il pieno: to tank up

Fare una domanda: to ask a question

Fare la la fila: to stand in a line

Fare soldi: to become rich, to make money

Far male: to be painful, to ache

Fare una vacanza: to go on vacation (holiday)

Fare una prenotazione: to make a reservation

Fare un errore (o sbaglio): to make a mistake

Fare tardi: to be late

FARE is also the verb used to ask information about the weather and to answer about it. In Italian, we say CHE TEMPO FA? And we answer FA bel/cattivo tempo o FA caldo/freddo.

tempo

As I mentioned earlier, ‘fare’ does not follow the regular pattern of the second conjugation; it is irregular.

Here are the most common ‘fare’ conjugations.

Tense/MoodVerb Forms
Presente Indicativo– io faccio- tu fai- lui fa- noi facciamo- voi fate- loro fanno
Imperfetto– io facevo- tu facevi- lui/lei faceva- noi facevamo- voi facevate- loro facevano
Passato Prossimo– io ho fatto- tu hai fatto- lui/lei ha fatto- noi abbiamo fatto- voi avete fatto- loro hanno fatto
Futuro Semplice– io farò- tu farai- lui/lei farà- noi faremo- voi farete- loro faranno
Condizionale Semplice– io farei- tu faresti- lui/lei farebbe- noi faremmo- voi fareste- loro farebbero
Gerundio– facendo
conjugations of the verb ‘fare’
Italian Teacher and Author Serena capilli

Ciao! I’m Serena Capilli, the author behind ItalianPills and a certified Italian teacher. Originally from Sicily and based in Rome, I create Italian graded readers, Piazzetta Italiana magazine, and a slow Italian podcast for adult learners.

My stories grew out of my lessons with English-speaking students: short, accessible texts with useful expressions, cultural insights, exercises, and audio to help you read, listen, and find more to say in Italian.

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