Significado
To act on an impulse.
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'pazzia' is often linked to the 'Genio e Sregolatezza' (Genius and Unruliness) trope, where great creativity is thought to require a bit of madness. In the south, 'fare una pazzia' for a wedding (spending huge amounts on food and flowers) is a common social expectation to show hospitality. Many classic Italian comedies (Commedia all'italiana) revolve around a protagonist who 'fa una pazzia' to escape their boring middle-class life. On Italian TikTok, #pazzia is used for 'unboxing' videos of extremely expensive or weird items.
The 'Shopping' Context
If you are in Italy and buy something expensive, tell the shopkeeper 'Ho fatto una pazzia!' They will love the enthusiasm.
Don't use with 'essere'
Saying 'Sono una pazzia' means 'I am a madness,' which makes no sense. Always use 'fare'.
Significado
To act on an impulse.
The 'Shopping' Context
If you are in Italy and buy something expensive, tell the shopkeeper 'Ho fatto una pazzia!' They will love the enthusiasm.
Don't use with 'essere'
Saying 'Sono una pazzia' means 'I am a madness,' which makes no sense. Always use 'fare'.
Use with 'per'
To sound like a native, always add 'per' + the thing you love. 'Faccio una pazzia per quel tiramisù!'
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'fare una pazzia'.
Ieri ho visto un vestito stupendo e ________ (passato prossimo).
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past (yesterday).
Which situation best fits the phrase 'fare una pazzia'?
Quale di queste è una 'pazzia'?
A 'pazzia' is something impulsive and out of the ordinary.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ho speso tutto lo stipendio per questo orologio.' B: 'Ma sei matto! Perché ________?'
We use 'questa pazzia' to refer to the specific act mentioned.
Match the phrase to the reason.
Perché faresti una pazzia?
Love is a classic motivation for a 'pazzia'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to 'Fare una Pazzia'
Shopping
- • Luxury bags
- • Expensive tech
- • Designer shoes
Travel
- • Last-minute flights
- • 5-star hotels
- • Unknown destinations
Love
- • Surprise visits
- • Grand declarations
- • Moving cities
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIeri ho visto un vestito stupendo e ________ (passato prossimo).
The sentence refers to a completed action in the past (yesterday).
Quale di queste è una 'pazzia'?
A 'pazzia' is something impulsive and out of the ordinary.
A: 'Ho speso tutto lo stipendio per questo orologio.' B: 'Ma sei matto! Perché ________?'
We use 'questa pazzia' to refer to the specific act mentioned.
Perché faresti una pazzia?
Love is a classic motivation for a 'pazzia'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's almost always lighthearted and positive. It's not used to mock mental health.
Yes! You can use it ironically for small things, like 'faccio una pazzia e prendo due cornetti.'
The most common is 'ho fatto una pazzia'.
They are 99% interchangeable. 'Follia' is just a bit more 'elegant'.
Yes, it means 'to do crazy things' in general or repeatedly.
Only if you have a very casual relationship with your colleagues. Otherwise, it sounds unprofessional.
Ho fatto una pazzia per lui.
No. 'Going crazy' (impazzire) is a state; 'fare una pazzia' is a specific action.
You could say 'fare una matta' in some regions, but 'fare una pazzia' is much more common.
Only if it was an impulsive mistake. If you just forgot something, it doesn't fit.
Frases relacionadas
fare una follia
synonymTo do something crazy/extravagant.
fare un colpo di testa
similarTo make a sudden, stubborn decision.
dare di matto
contrastTo lose one's temper / go crazy with anger.
essere fuori di testa
builds onTo be out of one's mind.
