Signification
Tidying a space.
Contexte culturel
The 'cambio di stagione' (season change) is a major cultural event where families 'fanno pulizia' in their wardrobes, moving winter clothes to storage and bringing out summer ones. The term is inseparable from the 'Mani Pulite' era. Any politician promising to 'fare pulizia' is invoking a very specific historical desire for honesty. Italians often distinguish between 'pulizia ordinaria' (daily chores) and 'pulizia straordinaria' (deep cleaning). 'Fare pulizia' usually implies the latter. With the rise of smartphones, 'fare pulizia' is now the standard term for clearing out WhatsApp chats or photo galleries to save space.
The 'In' Rule
Always use 'in' for locations: 'in camera', 'in ufficio', 'in giardino'.
Plural Trap
Don't say 'fare le pulizie' if you are talking about your computer or your friends!
Signification
Tidying a space.
The 'In' Rule
Always use 'in' for locations: 'in camera', 'in ufficio', 'in giardino'.
Plural Trap
Don't say 'fare le pulizie' if you are talking about your computer or your friends!
Sound Native
Use 'fare pulizia' when you want to sound like you are taking control of a messy situation.
Mani Pulite
Mentioning 'fare pulizia' in a political talk will immediately make Italians think of the 90s scandals.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'fare pulizia'.
Ieri io e mio fratello __________ in soffitta.
The sentence refers to 'ieri' (yesterday), so we need the passato prossimo of 'fare'.
Which sentence uses 'fare pulizia' in a figurative sense?
Choose the best option:
This refers to removing people (employees) rather than physical dirt.
Match the context with the correct Italian phrase.
Match the following:
These are the key distinctions between related cleaning terms.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Il mio armadio è pieno di vestiti che non metto mai. B: ____________________.
Cleaning out a closet is a perfect context for 'fare pulizia'.
In which situation would you NOT use 'fare pulizia'?
Select the incorrect situation:
For personal hygiene, we use 'lavarsi le mani'.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Fare Pulizia vs. Fare le Pulizie
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesIeri io e mio fratello __________ in soffitta.
The sentence refers to 'ieri' (yesterday), so we need the passato prossimo of 'fare'.
Choose the best option:
This refers to removing people (employees) rather than physical dirt.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the key distinctions between related cleaning terms.
A: Il mio armadio è pieno di vestiti che non metto mai. B: ____________________.
Cleaning out a closet is a perfect context for 'fare pulizia'.
Select the incorrect situation:
For personal hygiene, we use 'lavarsi le mani'.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo! It's very common for computers, phones, offices, and even personal relationships.
'Pulire' is the general verb 'to clean'. 'Fare pulizia' implies a more thorough process of organizing and removing unwanted things.
Usually, we say 'lavare la macchina'. You would only say 'fare pulizia' if you are cleaning out the junk inside the car.
Use 'Ho fatto pulizia'.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.
In a business context, yes, it can metaphorically mean removing unproductive staff.
Usually 'in' for places and 'di' for the objects being removed.
Yes, 'fare pulizia tra i followers' is very common.
No, but it specifically means routine housework like mopping and dusting.
Le pulizie di primavera (using the plural).
Very often, especially regarding corruption or police raids.
It's a stronger version meaning to get rid of absolutely everything.
Expressions liées
fare le pulizie
similarTo do housework/chores
fare piazza pulita
specialized formTo make a clean sweep
mettere in ordine
synonymTo tidy up
dare una ripulita
similarTo give a quick clean
pulire a fondo
similarTo clean deeply
