Signification
Remaining positive in a bad situation.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is deeply tied to 'La Bella Figura'. It's often better to hide your problems than to make others uncomfortable with your complaints. In Tuscany, the phrase is sometimes used with a bit of irony or sarcasm, highlighting the absurdity of the 'bad game'. In Italian business, showing emotional control (fare buon viso) is a sign of leadership and reliability. There is a strong tradition of stoicism in the South, where 'buon viso' is seen as a form of 'onore' (honor).
Conjugation is key
Remember that 'fare' is the only part that changes. Don't try to change 'buon' to 'buoni' even if you are talking about a group of people.
Don't use for death
Never use this phrase for serious tragedies like death or illness. It sounds too trivial.
Signification
Remaining positive in a bad situation.
Conjugation is key
Remember that 'fare' is the only part that changes. Don't try to change 'buon' to 'buoni' even if you are talking about a group of people.
Don't use for death
Never use this phrase for serious tragedies like death or illness. It sounds too trivial.
The 'Bel' variation
Using 'fare bel viso' instead of 'buon viso' makes you sound very sophisticated and literary.
Teste-toi
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'fare'.
Ieri, quando ho perso le chiavi, io ________ buon viso a cattivo gioco.
The sentence starts with 'Ieri' (yesterday), so we need the Passato Prossimo: 'ho fatto'.
Qual è il significato corretto di questa espressione?
Cosa significa 'fare buon viso a cattivo gioco'?
The phrase is about resilience and maintaining a positive outward appearance.
In quale situazione useresti questa frase?
Scegli la situazione adatta:
This is a 'cattivo gioco' (bad situation) where you 'fai buon viso' (act politely).
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesIeri, quando ho perso le chiavi, io ________ buon viso a cattivo gioco.
The sentence starts with 'Ieri' (yesterday), so we need the Passato Prossimo: 'ho fatto'.
Cosa significa 'fare buon viso a cattivo gioco'?
The phrase is about resilience and maintaining a positive outward appearance.
Scegli la situazione adatta:
This is a 'cattivo gioco' (bad situation) where you 'fai buon viso' (act politely).
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIt's neutral. You can use it with friends, but it's also common in newspapers and professional settings.
No, that would mean being grumpy when things are going well, which isn't a standard idiom.
'Abbozzare' is more about just taking the hit, while 'fare buon viso' emphasizes the positive outward appearance.
Yes, it is a standard Italian proverb understood from Milan to Sicily.
Expressions liées
Fare di necessità virtù
similarTo make a virtue of necessity.
Ingoiare il rospo
similarTo swallow the toad.
Ridere per non piangere
similarTo laugh so as not to cry.
Mostrare i denti
contrastTo show one's teeth.
