Bedeutung
Waiting for service.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Poste Italiane' is often the only place in small villages where people can access banking services, making it a vital social hub for the elderly. The 'bollettino postale' is a unique payment slip that has kept the 'fila' alive for decades, as many official payments must be made this way. The introduction of the 'Ufficio Postale' app allows people to 'book' their place in line digitally, but many still prefer the physical queue. In the South, the post office line can be more chaotic and social, with people often discussing politics or family matters while waiting.
Use the App
Most Italians now use the 'Ufficio Postale' app to avoid the 'fila'. Mentioning this makes you sound very modern.
The 'Numerino'
Don't just stand there! Look for the yellow machine to take your number, or you'll wait forever for nothing.
Bedeutung
Waiting for service.
Use the App
Most Italians now use the 'Ufficio Postale' app to avoid the 'fila'. Mentioning this makes you sound very modern.
The 'Numerino'
Don't just stand there! Look for the yellow machine to take your number, or you'll wait forever for nothing.
Timing is Everything
Avoid the first and last days of the month; that's when pensions are paid and the 'fila' is at its worst.
Small Talk
Complaining about the line is the best way to start a conversation with a stranger in Italy.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'fare'.
Ieri io ________ la fila alla posta per due ore.
'Ieri' (yesterday) requires the passato prossimo. 'Ho fatto' is the correct form for 'io'.
Which is the most natural way to say you are waiting in line at the post office?
Scusa il ritardo, ...
'Fare la fila' is the standard idiomatic expression.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Dove sei? B: Sono ancora qui, devo ________ alla posta.
The expression is 'fare la fila'.
Match the situation to the sentence.
You are complaining about the long wait.
'Fila chilometrica' is a common way to emphasize a long wait.
Match the Italian phrase with its English meaning.
1. Fare la fila 2. Mettersi in fila 3. Saltare la fila
These are the three main actions related to a queue.
Complete with the correct preposition.
Non mi piace fare la fila ____ posta.
'Alla' (a + la) is the standard preposition for this collocation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /6
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Fila vs. Coda
Aufgabensammlung
6 AufgabenIeri io ________ la fila alla posta per due ore.
'Ieri' (yesterday) requires the passato prossimo. 'Ho fatto' is the correct form for 'io'.
Scusa il ritardo, ...
'Fare la fila' is the standard idiomatic expression.
A: Dove sei? B: Sono ancora qui, devo ________ alla posta.
The expression is 'fare la fila'.
You are complaining about the long wait.
'Fila chilometrica' is a common way to emphasize a long wait.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the three main actions related to a queue.
Non mi piace fare la fila ____ posta.
'Alla' (a + la) is the standard preposition for this collocation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /6
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenNo, you can 'fare la fila' anywhere (supermarket, bank, museum). 'Alla posta' just specifies the location.
Yes, 'fare la coda' is a perfect synonym and very common in Northern Italy.
It's an idiomatic choice. 'Fare' implies the process of being part of the line, while 'aspettare' is just the act of waiting.
Both are okay. 'Alla posta' refers to the building; 'Alle poste' refers to the company/institution.
Then you say 'Non c'è fila' or 'Non ho fatto fila'.
No, it's the standard neutral way to describe waiting.
You say: 'Chi è l'ultimo?' This is essential if there is no ticket machine.
Yes, though they usually use it while complaining about having to go there.
An exaggeration meaning a very, very long line (kilometers long).
Usually no, for digital queues use 'essere in coda'.
It means 'to get in line' (the start of the action).
Usually only in the morning. If you go then, you will definitely 'fare la fila'.
A paper slip for payments that is the main reason people 'fanno la fila'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Verwandte Redewendungen
fare la coda
synonymTo wait in line
mettersi in fila
similarTo join the line
saltare la fila
contrastTo skip the line
fare la fila al supermercato
specialized formTo wait in line at the supermarket
perdere tempo
builds onTo waste time
sportello
similarCounter/window
