Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'filare dritto' when someone needs to stop causing trouble and start following the rules strictly.
- Means: To behave perfectly and follow instructions without any deviation.
- Used in: Parenting, workplace discipline, or legal/probationary contexts.
- Don't confuse: 'Filarsela', which means to run away or escape.
あなたのレベルに合った解説：
意味
To act correctly and follow the rules strictly.
文化的背景
The idiom reflects the historical importance of the textile guilds (Arti della Lana e della Seta) in cities like Florence, where quality control was a matter of civic pride. It is one of the most iconic 'threats' used by Italian parents, often accompanied by a specific gesture (a flat hand moving forward in a straight line). In Italian police or military jargon, 'filare dritto' is the standard expectation for subordinates, emphasizing the hierarchical nature of Italian society. The concept of 'straightness' vs 'crookedness' is a recurring theme in Italian literature, from Dante's 'diritta via' to modern crime novels.
The 'Dritto' Rule
Remember that 'dritto' never changes to 'dritta' or 'dritti' in this phrase. It's an adverbial block.
Don't over-use it
It can sound a bit aggressive or patronizing if used with peers. Use 'comportarsi bene' for a softer touch.
The 'Dritto' Rule
Remember that 'dritto' never changes to 'dritta' or 'dritti' in this phrase. It's an adverbial block.
Don't over-use it
It can sound a bit aggressive or patronizing if used with peers. Use 'comportarsi bene' for a softer touch.
The 'Fuso' connection
If you want to say someone is behaving *perfectly*, say 'fila dritto come un fuso' (straight as a spindle).
自分をテスト
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'filare dritto'.
Se i ragazzi non __________, l'insegnante annullerà la gita.
'Dritto' is an adverb and doesn't change for plural subjects.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
The first sentence uses the idiom for behavior/discipline. The second is literal movement, and the third is a confusion with 'filarsela'.
Complete the dialogue.
Capo: 'Marco, questo è il tuo ultimo avvertimento.' Marco: 'Lo so, Capo. Da oggi in poi __________.'
The future tense is most appropriate for a promise of future behavior.
🎉 スコア： /3
ビジュアル学習ツール
練習問題バンク
4 問題Se i ragazzi non __________, l'insegnante annullerà la gita.
'Dritto' is an adverb and doesn't change for plural subjects.
Choose the correct sentence:
The first sentence uses the idiom for behavior/discipline. The second is literal movement, and the third is a confusion with 'filarsela'.
Capo: 'Marco, questo è il tuo ultimo avvertimento.' Marco: 'Lo so, Capo. Da oggi in poi __________.'
The future tense is most appropriate for a promise of future behavior.
🎉 スコア： /4
よくある質問
5 問Yes! It's very common to use it for pets that are finally learning to obey commands.
Both are correct. 'Filar dritto' is a common truncation in spoken Italian, but 'filare dritto' is the full form.
Not offensive, but it is authoritative. Don't say it to your boss, but your boss might say it to you!
They are synonyms. 'Rigare' refers to drawing lines, 'filare' to spinning thread. 'Rigare' is slightly more common in schools.
Yes, in its idiomatic sense of 'behaving', it always takes 'avere'.
関連フレーズ
rigare dritto
synonymTo behave correctly, following the 'lines' of a notebook.
filarsela
contrastTo sneak away or escape.
mettere la testa a posto
similarTo settle down and start behaving responsibly.
filare come un fuso
builds onTo go very fast or work perfectly.
どこで使う？
Parental Warning
Madre: Se vuoi andare alla festa, vedi di filare dritto tutta la settimana.
Figlio: Promesso, mamma. Sarò un angelo.
Job Interview / Probation
Manager: Siamo disposti a darle un'altra possibilità, ma deve filare dritto.
Candidato: Capisco perfettamente. Non vi deluderò.
Military Context
Sergente: In questa caserma si fila dritto, chiaro?
Soldato: Sissignore!
Talking about a reformed friend
Amico A: Com'è andata a finire con Luca?
Amico B: Bene! Da quando ha trovato lavoro, fila dritto.
School setting
Insegnante: Ragazzi, durante la gita dovete filare dritto.
Studente: Non si preoccupi, saremo bravissimi.
Legal/Probation
Avvocato: Il giudice ti terrà d'occhio. Devi filare dritto per i prossimi sei mesi.
Cliente: Lo farò. Non voglio tornare in tribunale.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of a 'File' (row) of soldiers walking 'Dritto' (straight). If they stay in the file, they are behaving!
視覚的連想
Imagine a vintage wooden spinning wheel. A single golden thread is coming out perfectly straight. If the thread wobbles, the person is in trouble.
Rhyme
Se vuoi un profitto, devi filare dritto!
Story
Marco was a wild teenager who loved breaking rules. One day, his grandfather took him to a textile factory. He showed Marco a machine spinning silk. 'Look,' the grandfather said, 'if the silk doesn't spin straight, it's worthless. You are the silk, Marco.' From that day on, Marco decided to 'filare dritto'.
In Other Languages
In English, we say 'toe the line' or 'stay on the straight and narrow'. In French, they say 'filer droit', which is almost identical.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Try to use 'filare dritto' in a sentence today when talking about your work routine or a pet's behavior.
Review this phrase in 3 days, then 1 week. Remember: it's about spinning (filare) and straightness (dritto).
発音
Stress is on the second syllable 'la'.
The 'tt' is a double consonant, so hold the 't' sound slightly longer.
フォーマル度スペクトル
È necessario che lei mantenga una condotta irreprensibile. (Giving behavioral instructions.)
Deve filare dritto. (Giving behavioral instructions.)
Vedi di fare il bravo. (Giving behavioral instructions.)
Rigatela dritta e non scocciare. (Giving behavioral instructions.)
Originates from the manual spinning of wool or silk. A spinner who did not 'spin straight' produced a thread with knots (nodi) or weak points, making it useless for high-quality weaving.
豆知識
The word 'filo' (thread) is the root of many Italian idioms, including 'perdere il filo' (to lose one's train of thought).
文化メモ
The idiom reflects the historical importance of the textile guilds (Arti della Lana e della Seta) in cities like Florence, where quality control was a matter of civic pride.
“In Florence, the 'Arte della Lana' was one of the most powerful guilds.”
It is one of the most iconic 'threats' used by Italian parents, often accompanied by a specific gesture (a flat hand moving forward in a straight line).
“'Vedi di filare dritto!' is a phrase every Italian child has heard.”
In Italian police or military jargon, 'filare dritto' is the standard expectation for subordinates, emphasizing the hierarchical nature of Italian society.
“A marshal might say this to a new recruit.”
The concept of 'straightness' vs 'crookedness' is a recurring theme in Italian literature, from Dante's 'diritta via' to modern crime novels.
“Dante starts the Divine Comedy with the loss of the 'diritta via' (the straight path).”
会話のきっかけ
Ti è mai capitato di dover dire a qualcuno di 'filare dritto'?
Pensi che sia importante 'filare dritto' sul posto di lavoro, o un po' di flessibilità è meglio?
In Italia, si dice che i bambini debbano 'filare dritto'. Com'è la situazione nel tuo paese?
よくある間違い
Lui è filato dritto.
Lui ha filato dritto.
L1 Interference
Dovete filare dritti.
Dovete filare dritto.
L1 Interference
Lui se la fila dritto.
Lui fila dritto.
L1 Interference
Fila dritto alla casa.
Vai dritto a casa.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Andar derecho
Spanish uses 'walking' while Italian uses 'spinning'.
Filer droit
Virtually no difference in usage or origin.
Spuren
German focuses on the 'path' left behind, Italian on the 'thread' being created.
真面目にやる (Majime ni yaru)
Japanese focuses on the internal state (seriousness), Italian on the external result (straightness).
يمشي على العجين ما يلخبطوش (Yamshee 'ala al-'ajeen...)
The Arabic imagery is much more delicate and specific to precision.
安分守己 (Ān fèn shǒu jǐ)
Chinese emphasizes social hierarchy and boundaries, Italian emphasizes the act of following a rule.
바르게 행동하다 (Bareuge haengdonghada)
Less idiomatic, more descriptive.
Andar na linha
Uses 'walking' instead of 'spinning'.
Spotted in the Real World
“Prometto, babbo, che d'ora in poi filerò dritto.”
Pinocchio promising Geppetto he will be a good boy and go to school.
“Se vuoi uscire in licenza, devi filare dritto.”
The commander of the juvenile detention center talking to an inmate.
“Non è facile filare dritto in questa città.”
A song about the struggles of living an honest life in a difficult environment.
間違えやすい
Learners see 'filare' and assume it's related to behavior.
If you see 'se la' attached to 'filare', it means 'escape', not 'behave'.
Learners use 'filare dritto' for physical directions.
Use 'andare dritto' for maps and 'filare dritto' for rules.
よくある質問 (5)
Yes! It's very common to use it for pets that are finally learning to obey commands.
usage contextsBoth are correct. 'Filar dritto' is a common truncation in spoken Italian, but 'filare dritto' is the full form.
grammar mechanicsNot offensive, but it is authoritative. Don't say it to your boss, but your boss might say it to you!
practical tipsThey are synonyms. 'Rigare' refers to drawing lines, 'filare' to spinning thread. 'Rigare' is slightly more common in schools.
comparisonsYes, in its idiomatic sense of 'behaving', it always takes 'avere'.
grammar mechanics
