fai presto
hurry up
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'fai presto' to tell a friend, family member, or peer to hurry up or be quick.
- Means: 'Be quick' or 'Hurry up' in a friendly or neutral way.
- Used in: Catching a bus, meeting friends, or finishing a task.
- Don't confuse: With 'fai prima', which means 'to do something earlier'.
Explanation at your level:
معنی
Telling someone to be quick.
زمینه فرهنگی
In Italy, being 5-10 minutes late (lo scarto di cortesia) is often socially acceptable. 'Fai presto' is used when that limit is being exceeded. In Naples, you might hear 'Fa' ampress'' instead of 'Fai presto'. It's the dialectal version and carries a very strong sense of immediate action. The phrase is historically significant due to a famous 1980 newspaper headline pleading for help after a devastating earthquake. At a busy Italian bar, 'fai presto' is rarely said to the barista; instead, one uses 'appena puoi' (as soon as you can) to show respect for their craft.
The 'Dai' Boost
Add 'Dai' (Come on) before 'fai presto' to sound more like a native. 'Dai, fai presto!'
Watch the Tone
If said too loudly or sharply, it can sound like you are angry. Keep it light unless you're truly frustrated.
معنی
Telling someone to be quick.
The 'Dai' Boost
Add 'Dai' (Come on) before 'fai presto' to sound more like a native. 'Dai, fai presto!'
Watch the Tone
If said too loudly or sharply, it can sound like you are angry. Keep it light unless you're truly frustrated.
Subjunctive Use
For B1+ learners: Use 'faccia' in 'Spero che tu faccia presto' to sound more advanced.
Regional Variations
In Rome, you might hear 'fà presto' with a truncated 'a'. It's very common in casual speech.
خودت رو بسنج
Fill in the correct form of 'fare' to tell a group of friends to hurry up.
Ragazzi, ________ presto! Il film comincia!
'Fate' is the imperative form for 'voi' (you all).
Which phrase is the most natural way to tell a friend to be quick?
A: Fai velocemente! B: Fai presto! C: Fai prima!
'Fai presto' is the standard idiomatic expression for 'hurry up'.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
Mamma: 'Marco, la cena è pronta!' Marco: 'Arrivo tra un minuto.' Mamma: '________, si raffredda tutto!'
The mother wants Marco to hurry so the food doesn't get cold.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You are at a formal office and need a clerk to finish a document quickly.
In a formal setting, use the 'Lei' form 'faccia'.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Presto vs. Prima
سوالات متداول
12 سوالOnly if you have a very close, informal relationship. Otherwise, use 'faccia presto' or 'abbia pazienza, è urgente'.
They are very similar, but 'sbrigati' is more forceful and specifically means 'hurry yourself up'.
No, 'presto' can also mean 'early' (e.g., 'Mi sveglio presto' - I wake up early).
Use the plural form: 'Fate presto!'
It's grammatically correct but sounds less natural than 'fai presto'.
The opposite would be 'fai con calma' (take your time).
Yes, in informal emails, texts, and scripts.
In Italian, many expressions of 'acting' use 'fare' (to do/make) rather than 'essere' (to be).
Yes! Italians often talk to objects. 'Fai presto, stupido computer!'
Between friends, no. It's a normal part of social interaction.
No, 'fai' and 'presto' are the same whether you talk to a man or a woman.
It's a common idiom meaning 'it's easy to say [but hard to do]'.
عبارات مرتبط
sbrigati
synonymhurry up
muoviti
similarmove it
in fretta
builds onin a hurry
fare tardi
contrastto be late
datti una mossa
specialized formget a move on
کجا استفاده کنیم
Catching a Train
Anna: Il treno parte tra due minuti!
Luca: Sto arrivando!
Anna: Fai presto, Luca!
Ordering Fast Food
Cliente: Un trancio di pizza, per favore.
Commesso: Arriva subito.
Cliente: Grazie, faccia presto se può, ho il bus.
Texting a Friend
Giulia: Dove sei? Sono già al bar.
Paolo: Parcheggio e arrivo.
Giulia: Ok, fai presto! ☕
Getting Ready for a Date
Sorella: Sei ancora in bagno?
Fratello: Quasi finito.
Sorella: Dai, fai presto, siamo in ritardo per la cena!
At the Office
Collega 1: Hai finito il report?
Collega 2: Mancano cinque minuti.
Collega 1: Fai presto, il capo lo vuole per le tre.
Emergency Call
Cittadino: C'è stato un incidente in Via Roma!
Operatore: Mandiamo subito un'ambulanza.
Cittadino: Vi prego, fate presto!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Fast Action Italian' — F.A.I. Presto sounds like 'pressed' for time.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant Italian espresso cup with legs running a marathon. The steam from the coffee spells out 'FAI PRESTO!'
Rhyme
Se vuoi andare al resto, devi fare presto!
Story
You are in Rome, the sun is setting, and you have tickets for the last tour of the Colosseum. Your friend is still eating gelato. You point at your watch and shout 'Fai presto!' so you can catch the magic hour.
Word Web
چالش
Next time you are waiting for a computer to load or water to boil, whisper 'fai presto' to it three times.
In Other Languages
¡Date prisa!
Spanish uses the reflexive 'darse' while Italian uses the simple 'fare'.
Dépêche-toi !
French relies almost exclusively on reflexive verbs for this command.
Beeil dich!
German is strictly reflexive; Italian 'fai presto' is a verb-adverb combo.
早くして (Hayaku shite)
Japanese requires different politeness levels (te-form vs. dictionary form) more strictly than Italian.
أسرع (Asri')
Arabic uses a dedicated verb for speed rather than a light verb like 'fare'.
快点 (Kuài diǎn)
Chinese focuses on the adjective 'quick' rather than the action 'do'.
빨리 해 (Ppalli hae)
Korean word order is Adverb + Verb, whereas Italian is Verb + Adverb.
Faz depressa!
Portuguese 'depressa' is more common than 'cedo' (the cognate of presto) in this context.
Easily Confused
Learners think it means 'to hurry up'.
Use 'fare prima' for shortcuts or finishing ahead of schedule; use 'fare presto' for speed.
Mixing up 'soon/early' with 'fast'.
'Presto' is about time/deadlines; 'veloce' is about physical speed.
سوالات متداول (12)
Only if you have a very close, informal relationship. Otherwise, use 'faccia presto' or 'abbia pazienza, è urgente'.
They are very similar, but 'sbrigati' is more forceful and specifically means 'hurry yourself up'.
No, 'presto' can also mean 'early' (e.g., 'Mi sveglio presto' - I wake up early).
Use the plural form: 'Fate presto!'
It's grammatically correct but sounds less natural than 'fai presto'.
The opposite would be 'fai con calma' (take your time).
Yes, in informal emails, texts, and scripts.
In Italian, many expressions of 'acting' use 'fare' (to do/make) rather than 'essere' (to be).
Yes! Italians often talk to objects. 'Fai presto, stupido computer!'
Between friends, no. It's a normal part of social interaction.
No, 'fai' and 'presto' are the same whether you talk to a man or a woman.
It's a common idiom meaning 'it's easy to say [but hard to do]'.
