A1 Collocation 중립

Al lavoro

At work

Being at one's place of employment.

🌍

문화적 배경

The 'pausa caffè' is a sacred part of being 'al lavoro'. It's not just a break; it's where networking and problem-solving happen. In Milan, 'al lavoro' often implies a faster pace. The phrase 'Milano da bere' from the 80s contrasted with the image of the hard-working Milanese 'al lavoro'. The phrase 'a lavoro' (without the 'l') is very common in speech in the South, reflecting regional linguistic tendencies to drop articles. Italians generally value their free time, so being 'al lavoro' is strictly for working hours. Calling someone 'al lavoro' for non-urgent matters is often seen as slightly intrusive.

💡

The 'A' Rule

Remember that in Italian, we use 'a' for work, home (a casa), and school (a scuola).

⚠️

No 'The' in English

Don't translate 'al lavoro' as 'at the work'. In English, we just say 'at work'.

Being at one's place of employment.

💡

The 'A' Rule

Remember that in Italian, we use 'a' for work, home (a casa), and school (a scuola).

⚠️

No 'The' in English

Don't translate 'al lavoro' as 'at the work'. In English, we just say 'at work'.

🎯

Use with 'Mettersi'

To sound like a native, use 'mettiamoci al lavoro' instead of 'cominciamo a lavorare'.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the blank with the correct contracted preposition.

Marco non è a casa, è ___ lavoro.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: al

We need 'a' + 'il', which becomes 'al'.

Which sentence is correct?

How do you say 'Let's get to work'?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Mettiamoci al lavoro

'Mettiamoci' is the reflexive form needed for this idiom.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Dove sei? B: ________, finisco tra un'ora.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Sono al lavoro

'Sono' (I am) describes your current location/state.

Match the phrase to the situation.

You are leaving your house to go to your office.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Vado al lavoro

'Vado' indicates movement toward the destination.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

Common Verbs with 'al lavoro'

🏃

Action

  • andare
  • tornare
  • mettersi
🧘

State

  • essere
  • restare
  • rimanere

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Fill in the blank with the correct contracted preposition. Fill Blank A1

Marco non è a casa, è ___ lavoro.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: al

We need 'a' + 'il', which becomes 'al'.

Which sentence is correct? Choose A2

How do you say 'Let's get to work'?

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Mettiamoci al lavoro

'Mettiamoci' is the reflexive form needed for this idiom.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: Dove sei? B: ________, finisco tra un'ora.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Sono al lavoro

'Sono' (I am) describes your current location/state.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching A1

You are leaving your house to go to your office.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Vado al lavoro

'Vado' indicates movement toward the destination.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, that is a literal translation from English and sounds incorrect in Italian. Use 'sono al lavoro'.

'Al lavoro' is general (at work), while 'in ufficio' is specific (in the office).

It is common in spoken Italian, especially in the South, but 'al lavoro' is the correct grammatical form.

You say 'Vado al lavoro'.

Not necessarily. It means you are working *right now*. To say you have a job, say 'Ho un lavoro'.

No, for homework use 'faccio i compiti'.

It's a way to say 'have a good day at work' to someone else.

It is neutral and can be used in any situation.

You say 'Sono tornato dal lavoro'.

Yes, 'Siamo al lavoro sul progetto' means you are currently working on it.

관련 표현

🔗

buon lavoro

similar

Have a good day at work / Enjoy your work

🔗

fuori lavoro

contrast

Off work / outside of work

🔗

compagno di lavoro

builds on

Coworker

🔗

carico di lavoro

specialized form

Workload

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