Bedeutung
To show romantic interest.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'passeggiata' (evening stroll) is the traditional arena for 'fare il filo'. It's where young people would see and be seen. Classic films from the 50s and 60s (like those of Fellini or Mastroianni) often depict the art of 'fare il filo' as a sophisticated social dance. Modern Italians use 'fare il filo' to describe 'tactical' social media use, like liking old photos to get someone's attention. In some southern regions, 'fare il filo' can still carry a very serious connotation of 'intent to marry'.
Use Indirect Pronouns
Always remember: Le faccio il filo (to her), Gli faccio il filo (to him). This is the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Don't be too aggressive
'Fare il filo' implies a certain elegance. If you are too direct, Italians might use the word 'provarci' instead.
Bedeutung
To show romantic interest.
Use Indirect Pronouns
Always remember: Le faccio il filo (to her), Gli faccio il filo (to him). This is the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Don't be too aggressive
'Fare il filo' implies a certain elegance. If you are too direct, Italians might use the word 'provarci' instead.
Context is key
Don't use this in a business meeting unless you are joking with a very close colleague.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'fare' and the correct pronoun.
Marco è innamorato di Sofia. Lui ___ ___ il filo da mesi.
We use 'le' because Sofia is female (indirect object) and 'fa' is the 3rd person singular of 'fare'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the right way to say 'I am wooing him'.
The idiom uses 'a qualcuno' (indirect object 'gli') and the definite article 'il'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Hai visto come si guardano quei due?' B: 'Sì, è ovvio che lui ___ ___ ___ ___.'
After 'è ovvio che', we often use the subjunctive in more formal Italian, but 'le stia facendo' (progressive) fits the 'is doing' context best.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Someone has been liking all your photos and sending you flowers.
'Fare il filo' is the only one related to romantic interest.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMarco è innamorato di Sofia. Lui ___ ___ il filo da mesi.
We use 'le' because Sofia is female (indirect object) and 'fa' is the 3rd person singular of 'fare'.
Choose the right way to say 'I am wooing him'.
The idiom uses 'a qualcuno' (indirect object 'gli') and the definite article 'il'.
A: 'Hai visto come si guardano quei due?' B: 'Sì, è ovvio che lui ___ ___ ___ ___.'
After 'è ovvio che', we often use the subjunctive in more formal Italian, but 'le stia facendo' (progressive) fits the 'is doing' context best.
Someone has been liking all your photos and sending you flowers.
'Fare il filo' is the only one related to romantic interest.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenNo, it is gender-neutral. Anyone can 'fare il filo' to anyone else.
Yes, you can say 'Faccio il filo a Brad Pitt' in a joking way to mean you are obsessed with him.
'Flirtare' is a direct loanword from English and is often more superficial. 'Fare il filo' suggests a more dedicated, long-term effort.
It has a classic feel, but it is still very much in use by young people today.
You say 'Mi sta facendo il filo'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
fare la corte
synonymTo court someone.
provarci con qualcuno
similarTo hit on someone.
andare dietro a qualcuno
similarTo be after someone.
mollare il colpo
contrastTo give up.
