Bedeutung
Telling someone to be careful.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'eye' gesture (pulling the skin below the eye) is the universal non-verbal equivalent of 'fai attenzione'. It can mean 'I'm watching you' or 'Watch out'. In the south, 'fai attenzione' can sometimes be a coded warning about social reputation or 'omertà' (silence), though this is more common in cinema than daily life. In Italian traffic, 'fai attenzione' is often replaced by a short, sharp honk of the horn. It's not always aggressive; it's often just a 'pay attention, I'm here' signal. In universities, 'prestare attenzione' is preferred over 'fare attenzione' to sound more intellectual and precise.
The 'A' Rule
Always follow 'fai attenzione' with 'a' if you're pointing out a specific object. Fai attenzione A...
Not for Goodbyes
Don't say 'fai attenzione' when someone is leaving your house. Use 'stai attento' or 'a presto'.
Bedeutung
Telling someone to be careful.
The 'A' Rule
Always follow 'fai attenzione' with 'a' if you're pointing out a specific object. Fai attenzione A...
Not for Goodbyes
Don't say 'fai attenzione' when someone is leaving your house. Use 'stai attento' or 'a presto'.
The Eye Gesture
If you can't speak, just pull down your lower eyelid. Every Italian will understand you're saying 'be careful'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'fare' (tu form).
____ attenzione quando attraversi la strada!
The informal 'tu' form of the imperative for 'fare' is 'fai'.
Which preposition correctly completes the sentence?
Fai attenzione ____ borsa!
The phrase 'fare attenzione' requires the preposition 'a'. 'A' + 'la' = 'alla'.
Complete the dialogue with the formal version of the phrase.
Cameriere: 'Signore, ____ al gradino.'
Since the waiter is addressing a customer ('Signore'), the formal 'Lei' form 'faccia' is required.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are warning a group of children near a pool.
When addressing a group (plural), use 'fate'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formal vs Informal
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben____ attenzione quando attraversi la strada!
The informal 'tu' form of the imperative for 'fare' is 'fai'.
Fai attenzione ____ borsa!
The phrase 'fare attenzione' requires the preposition 'a'. 'A' + 'la' = 'alla'.
Cameriere: 'Signore, ____ al gradino.'
Since the waiter is addressing a customer ('Signore'), the formal 'Lei' form 'faccia' is required.
Situation: You are warning a group of children near a pool.
When addressing a group (plural), use 'fate'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's generally helpful. However, use the formal 'faccia attenzione' with elders or superiors to be safe.
Absolutely not. This is a common 'Anglicism' that sounds very wrong to Italian ears.
'Fai attenzione' is the act of focusing. 'Stai attento' is the state of being cautious. They are often interchangeable.
You say 'Fai attenzione a me' or more commonly 'Prestami attenzione'.
Yes, but usually in the form 'prestare attenzione' or 'porre attenzione' for a more professional tone.
Yes, it's the perfect phrase for that, though 'Occhio!' is faster in an emergency.
No, 'attenzione' is a feminine noun, but the phrase 'fai attenzione' doesn't change based on whether you're talking to a man or a woman.
The plural is 'fate attenzione'. Use this for two or more people.
Yes, 'Attenzione!' or 'Fai attenzione!' are very common in texts.
'Occhio!' is the closest thing to a slang or very casual version.
Verwandte Redewendungen
stai attento
similarStay alert / Be careful
occhio!
synonymWatch out!
presta attenzione
specialized formPay attention
riguardati
contrastTake care of yourself
avvertire
builds onTo warn
