A1 Expression غیر رسمی

fai con calma

take your time

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A friendly way to tell someone to take their time and not feel pressured by the clock.

  • Means: 'Take your time' or 'Do it calmly' (literally: do with calm).
  • Used in: Social gatherings, shops, or when a friend is rushing to finish something.
  • Don't confuse: With 'stai calmo', which is used to tell someone to stop being angry.
⏳ + ☕ = 😌 'Fai con calma'

Explanation at your level:

At this level, 'fai con calma' is a simple command. 'Fai' means 'do' and 'con calma' means 'with calm'. Use it when you want to tell a friend 'don't rush'. It is very helpful when you are learning Italian because you can say it to people who are waiting for you to speak.
You can now use variations like 'fai pure con calma'. The word 'pure' makes the phrase sound more natural and polite. You understand that 'fai' is for friends and 'faccia' is for people you don't know well. You use it in shops or when someone is helping you.
At B1, you recognize the social importance of this phrase. You use it to make people feel comfortable. You also start to notice when it is used sarcastically. You can combine it with other phrases like 'non c'è fretta' (there is no rush) to sound more fluent and empathetic.
You understand the nuance between 'fai con calma' and 'prenditi il tuo tempo'. You use the phrase to manage social expectations and can navigate the subtle shift from a friendly suggestion to a slightly ironic comment on someone's pace. You are comfortable using the imperative mood in various social registers.
You master the pragmatic functions of the phrase. You use it to set the tone of a meeting or a social gathering. You understand the historical and cultural roots of 'calma' and how it relates to the Italian lifestyle. You can use it to deflect pressure in a sophisticated way during negotiations.
You possess a near-native grasp of the phrase's cognitive linguistics. You recognize how 'fai con calma' functions as a 'positive politeness strategy' in Italian culture, minimizing the 'face-threatening act' of making someone wait. You can analyze its use in literature and cinema as a tool for character development and atmosphere.

معنی

Telling someone there is no need to rush.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

The 'Pausa Pranzo' (lunch break) is a sacred time where 'fai con calma' is the rule. Shops often close for 2-3 hours, and rushing through a meal is considered unhealthy and impolite. In the South, the pace of life is notoriously slower. 'Fai con calma' isn't just a phrase; it's a survival strategy for the heat and a way to maintain social bonds. Unlike in the US, Italian waiters will rarely bring the check unless you ask for it. They want you to 'fare con calma' and enjoy the table. In Italian WhatsApp culture, adding 'fai con calma' after a request is a sign of high emotional intelligence and respect for the other person's boundaries.

🎯

The 'Pure' Power

Add 'pure' (fai pure con calma) to sound 10x more like a native speaker. It adds a layer of genuine permission.

⚠️

Sarcasm Alert

If you say it too slowly or with a high pitch, it becomes sarcastic. Keep your tone flat and warm for the friendly meaning.

معنی

Telling someone there is no need to rush.

🎯

The 'Pure' Power

Add 'pure' (fai pure con calma) to sound 10x more like a native speaker. It adds a layer of genuine permission.

⚠️

Sarcasm Alert

If you say it too slowly or with a high pitch, it becomes sarcastic. Keep your tone flat and warm for the friendly meaning.

💬

The Waiter Test

Use 'faccia con calma' when a waiter is clearing your table but you're still nibbling. It's the ultimate sign of a polite traveler.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the correct form of 'fare' for a formal situation.

Signore, ________ pure con calma, non c'è fretta.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: faccia

'Faccia' is the formal imperative (Lei) form.

Match the phrase to the best situation.

When would you say 'Fai con calma'?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: To a friend who is stressed about finding their keys.

It is used to reduce stress in non-emergency situations.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Scusa, sono in ritardo di 5 minuti!' B: 'Non preoccuparti, ________.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: fai con calma

'Fai con calma' is the perfect response to someone apologizing for a small delay.

Which of these is the most natural way to say 'Take your time' in Italian?

Choose the best option:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Fai con calma

While others might be understood, 'Fai con calma' is the idiomatic standard.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

When to say 'Fai con calma'

👋

Social

  • • Friends arriving late
  • • Someone talking fast
  • • Sharing a meal
☕

Service

  • • Waiter at a cafe
  • • Cashier at a shop
  • • Taxi driver

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

No, it is generally very polite and reassuring. It only becomes rude if used sarcastically.

Use the formal 'Faccia con calma' unless you have a very close, informal relationship.

'Piano' usually refers to physical speed or volume, while 'fai con calma' refers to the lack of pressure.

You would say 'fai presto' or 'sbrigati'.

Yes, from Milan to Palermo, it is a universal Italian expression.

No, it must always be 'con calma'.

No, for that you would say 'fai silenzio' or 'stai zitto'.

Yes, 'faccia pure con calma' is a nice way to say a task isn't urgent.

The plural is 'fate con calma'.

Yes, 'guida con calma' means 'drive safely/don't rush'.

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

senza fretta

synonym

without haste

🔗

con comodo

similar

at your convenience

🔗

piano piano

similar

slowly slowly

🔗

sbrigati

contrast

hurry up

🔄

prenditi tempo

synonym

take time

کجا استفاده کنیم

🛒

At the Supermarket

Customer: Scusi, non trovo il portafoglio...

Cashier: Non si preoccupi, faccia con calma.

formal
📱

Texting a Friend

Friend A: Sto arrivando, scusa il ritardo!

Friend B: Tranquillo, fai con calma. Io sono già al bar.

informal
🍝

At a Restaurant

Waiter: Volete ordinare il dolce?

Guest: Ancora no, vogliamo fare con calma.

neutral
🤝

Helping Someone

Child: Non riesco a allacciare le scarpe!

Parent: Prova ancora, fai con calma.

informal
💼

Workplace

Boss: Ecco il report, ma non è urgente.

Employee: Va bene, allora faccio con calma.

neutral
🍷

Dating

Person A: Mi piaci, ma voglio conoscerti meglio.

Person B: Certo, facciamo con calma.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Calm Ma' (Calm Mother) telling you not to rush your chores.

Visual Association

Imagine an Italian espresso sitting on a table in a sun-drenched piazza. The steam rises slowly, and there is no one else around. That feeling is 'fai con calma'.

Rhyme

Se non vuoi il dramma, fai con calma!

Story

You are in a small village in Tuscany. You are trying to pay for bread, but you drop your coins. The baker smiles, puts a hand on your shoulder, and says 'Fai con calma'. You breathe, pick up the coins, and realize the world didn't end because you were slow.

Word Web

calmatranquillitàpazienzalentezzariposofrettaritardotempo

چالش

Next time you are at a checkout counter or waiting for someone to find something, say 'Fai con calma' (or 'Faccia con calma') out loud.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Hazlo con calma

Spanish also frequently uses 'tómate tu tiempo' which is more common than the Italian equivalent.

French moderate

Prends ton temps

French 'doucement' is also used but often implies physical slowness.

German moderate

Lass dir Zeit

German can sound more like a permission than a social reassurance.

Japanese high

ごゆっくり (Go-yukkuri)

Japanese is much more formal and often used as a set phrase in hospitality.

Arabic high

على مهلك (ala mahlak)

Carries a strong sense of 'at your own pace'.

Chinese high

慢慢来 (Mànmàn lái)

Focuses on the 'speed' (slow) rather than the 'state' (calm).

Korean moderate

천천히 하세요 (Cheoncheonhi haseyo)

Often used when someone is eating or working.

Portuguese high

Vai com calma

Uses the verb 'go' (vai) more often than 'do' (fai).

Easily Confused

fai con calma در مقابل stai calmo

Learners think it means 'take your time' because of the word 'calmo'.

Use 'stai calmo' for emotions (anger/panic) and 'fai con calma' for actions (speed/rushing).

fai con calma در مقابل fai presto

Opposite meaning but similar structure.

Remember 'presto' = fast, 'calma' = slow/peaceful.

سوالات متداول (10)

No, it is generally very polite and reassuring. It only becomes rude if used sarcastically.

Use the formal 'Faccia con calma' unless you have a very close, informal relationship.

'Piano' usually refers to physical speed or volume, while 'fai con calma' refers to the lack of pressure.

You would say 'fai presto' or 'sbrigati'.

Yes, from Milan to Palermo, it is a universal Italian expression.

No, it must always be 'con calma'.

No, for that you would say 'fai silenzio' or 'stai zitto'.

Yes, 'faccia pure con calma' is a nice way to say a task isn't urgent.

The plural is 'fate con calma'.

Yes, 'guida con calma' means 'drive safely/don't rush'.

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