Signification
To imitate someone to tease them.
Contexte culturel
Satirical programs like 'Fratelli di Crozza' rely almost entirely on 'fare il verso' to politicians. It is a key part of Italian political discourse. In Italy, accents vary wildly. 'Fare il verso' often involves exaggerating a regional accent (like a Roman mocking a Milanese) to highlight cultural stereotypes. Italian children often play 'il gioco dei versi,' where they must guess the animal based on the sound. This is the first time Italians encounter the word 'verso'. This historical theater form used 'fare il verso' as a primary comedic tool, where servants would mock the pretentious speech of their masters.
Don't use with 'di' for people
Remember: 'Fare il verso DI un cane' but 'Fare il verso A Marco'. Using 'di' for a person sounds like they are an animal.
Use with 'smettere'
The most common way you'll use this is telling someone to stop: 'Smettila di farmi il verso!'
Signification
To imitate someone to tease them.
Don't use with 'di' for people
Remember: 'Fare il verso DI un cane' but 'Fare il verso A Marco'. Using 'di' for a person sounds like they are an animal.
Use with 'smettere'
The most common way you'll use this is telling someone to stop: 'Smettila di farmi il verso!'
Irony is key
Italians often use this phrase ironically to acknowledge they are being annoying themselves.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'fare' and the preposition.
Smettila! Non ___ (tu) il verso ___ mia madre!
The subject is 'tu' (fai) and the preposition for a person is 'a'.
In which situation is 'fare il verso' used literally?
Quale frase è letterale?
Imitating a sheep (pecora) is the literal use of 'verso' as an animal sound.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Devi studiare di più!' B: (con voce buffa) 'Devi studiare di più!' A: '___'
Speaker B is mocking Speaker A, so A's natural response is to tell them to stop.
Match the phrase to the intent.
Match: 1. Imitare per imparare, 2. Fare il verso
'Imitare' is for learning/respect; 'Fare il verso' is for teasing.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSmettila! Non ___ (tu) il verso ___ mia madre!
The subject is 'tu' (fai) and the preposition for a person is 'a'.
Quale frase è letterale?
Imitating a sheep (pecora) is the literal use of 'verso' as an animal sound.
A: 'Devi studiare di più!' B: (con voce buffa) 'Devi studiare di più!' A: '___'
Speaker B is mocking Speaker A, so A's natural response is to tell them to stop.
Match: 1. Imitare per imparare, 2. Fare il verso
'Imitare' is for learning/respect; 'Fare il verso' is for teasing.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNot always. Between close friends or siblings, it can be playful teasing. However, with strangers or in formal settings, it is definitely rude.
Yes, but only if you are writing a dialogue or an informal story. In an essay, use 'parodiare' or 'imitare'.
'Imitare' is neutral and can be positive (imitating a hero). 'Fare il verso' is specifically for mockery or animal sounds.
Etymologically yes, but in this context, it refers to the 'sound' or 'cry' of a creature.
You can say 'Mi sta facendo il verso' or 'Mi scimmiotta'.
Yes, 'fare i versi' often refers to making funny faces or a series of strange sounds.
Yes, it is a standard Italian expression understood from North to South.
Yes! 'Il bambino fa i primi versi' means the baby is making its first cooing sounds.
Expressions liées
scimmiottare
synonymTo ape or mimic clumsily.
prendere in giro
similarTo tease or make fun of.
fare la parodia
specialized formTo create a parody.
fare il verso dell'animale
builds onTo make an animal sound.
