Signification
Acting as if something is true.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is essential for 'Bella Figura.' Italians might 'fare finta' to avoid making someone else feel uncomfortable, prioritizing social harmony over blunt honesty. In the movie 'La Vita è Bella,' the father uses 'fare finta' to convince his son that the concentration camp is just a complex game with prizes. Italian children use 'Facciamo finta che...' to set the stage for imaginative play, similar to 'Let's pretend...' in English. The 'finto tonto' (fake dummy) is a recognized social archetype—someone who pretends not to understand rules or instructions to avoid work or responsibility.
The False Friend Trap
Never use 'pretendere' for 'pretend'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Master 'Di Niente'
Learn 'fare finta di niente' as a single block. It's incredibly common for ignoring awkward moments.
Signification
Acting as if something is true.
The False Friend Trap
Never use 'pretendere' for 'pretend'. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Master 'Di Niente'
Learn 'fare finta di niente' as a single block. It's incredibly common for ignoring awkward moments.
Polite Lies
In Italy, 'fare finta' is often a sign of respect or kindness, not just dishonesty.
Subjunctive Shortcut
If you aren't confident with the subjunctive yet, stick to 'fare finta di' + infinitive. It covers 80% of situations.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'fare' and the preposition.
I bambini _______ finta _______ essere dei pirati.
'I bambini' is 3rd person plural (fanno), and the phrase always uses 'di.'
Which sentence means 'I pretended to sleep'?
Choose the correct translation:
'Pretendo' is a false friend, and 'di dormire' is the correct infinitive construction.
Complete the dialogue with the best variation of the phrase.
A: Hai visto che Maria è arrabbiata? B: Sì, ma io _________.
'Fare finta di niente' means to ignore the situation or act as if nothing is happening.
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: You see an annoying neighbor on the street.
Pretending not to see someone is the standard way to avoid them.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Pretend vs. Pretendere
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesI bambini _______ finta _______ essere dei pirati.
'I bambini' is 3rd person plural (fanno), and the phrase always uses 'di.'
Choose the correct translation:
'Pretendo' is a false friend, and 'di dormire' is the correct infinitive construction.
A: Hai visto che Maria è arrabbiata? B: Sì, ma io _________.
'Fare finta di niente' means to ignore the situation or act as if nothing is happening.
Situation: You see an annoying neighbor on the street.
Pretending not to see someone is the standard way to avoid them.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, but only if the action is implied or you are using the phrase 'fare finta di niente'. Otherwise, you need 'di' or 'che'.
'Fingere' is more formal and literary. In a conversation, 'fare finta' sounds much more natural.
No. 'Finta' is a noun in this expression, so it stays feminine regardless of who is speaking.
They are identical. 'Nulla' is slightly more formal than 'niente', but they are used interchangeably.
Use 'Facciamo finta che...' followed by the subjunctive, or 'Facciamo finta di...' followed by the infinitive.
No, for acting in a movie, use 'recitare'. 'Fare finta' implies a deception or a game in real life.
It can be. It implies they are being dishonest. Use it carefully if you are confronting someone.
It's someone who 'plays dumb' to avoid trouble or work. It's a very common Italian idiom.
Yes, 'fare finta di stare male' (to pretend to be sick) is common, though 'simulare' is used by doctors.
Yes: 'Ho fatto finta di...', 'Facevo finta di...', etc. Just conjugate the verb 'fare'.
No, that is a common mistake influenced by other languages. It must be 'fare finta di'.
It means 'a feint' or 'a fake move', like in sports or fencing.
Expressions liées
fingere
synonymTo pretend (more formal)
fare finta di niente
specialized formTo act as if nothing happened
dare a vedere
similarTo let it be seen / to show
simulare
similarTo simulate
fare il finto tonto
specialized formTo play dumb
mettere in scena
builds onTo stage / to put on a show
