Signification
Staying awake until the early hours.
Contexte culturel
Italians often eat dinner around 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM. This naturally leads to 'fare le ore piccole' as social activities only begin late in the evening. In the south, especially in summer, the heat makes the night the best time to be outside. 'Fare le ore piccole' is a way of life in July and August. Students often use this phrase to bond over their shared misery of late-night study sessions before 'la sessione' (exam period). In Milan, 'fare le ore piccole' is often linked to 'aperitivi' that turn into late dinners and clubbing during Fashion Week.
Use it for excuses
If you're late for a morning coffee date, 'Ho fatto le ore piccole' is a very relatable and forgiven excuse in Italy.
Don't forget the 'le'
Saying 'fare ore piccole' sounds like a robot. Always include the article 'le'.
Signification
Staying awake until the early hours.
Use it for excuses
If you're late for a morning coffee date, 'Ho fatto le ore piccole' is a very relatable and forgiven excuse in Italy.
Don't forget the 'le'
Saying 'fare ore piccole' sounds like a robot. Always include the article 'le'.
The 1 AM Rule
In Italy, staying up until midnight isn't 'fare le ore piccole'. That's just a normal Tuesday. Aim for 1 AM or later to use this phrase correctly.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Sabato scorso noi __________ le ore piccole in centro.
The sentence needs the past tense (passato prossimo) for 'noi'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
The idiom is fixed as 'fare le ore piccole'.
Fill in the response.
A: 'Perché bevi così tanto caffè?' B: 'Perché ieri notte __________.'
Drinking a lot of coffee implies you stayed up late.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You stayed up until 3 AM studying for a math test.
'Sui libri' (on the books) is a common way to say you were studying.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSabato scorso noi __________ le ore piccole in centro.
The sentence needs the past tense (passato prossimo) for 'noi'.
Choose the correct option:
The idiom is fixed as 'fare le ore piccole'.
A: 'Perché bevi così tanto caffè?' B: 'Perché ieri notte __________.'
Drinking a lot of coffee implies you stayed up late.
You stayed up until 3 AM studying for a math test.
'Sui libri' (on the books) is a common way to say you were studying.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, you can say 'Ho fatto le ore piccole in ufficio' if you stayed late to work.
Not at all. It's a very standard, neutral-to-informal idiom.
Usually 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 AM.
No, that phrase does not exist in Italian.
In the past: 'Abbiamo fatto le ore piccole'. In the present: 'Facciamo le ore piccole'.
'Tirare tardi' is slightly more general, while 'fare le ore piccole' specifically points to the early morning hours.
Yes: 'Ho fatto le ore piccole con i miei amici'.
It's used by everyone, though young people might use 'fare serata' more often.
It's better to use 'lavorare fino a tarda notte' in a very formal email.
Usually, but it can also imply studying or working hard.
Expressions liées
tirare tardi
synonymTo stay out late.
fare l'alba
builds onTo stay up until dawn.
nottambulo
similarA night owl / sleepwalker.
fare serata
specialized formTo go out for the evening (partying).
