Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'fai presto' to tell a friend, family member, or peer to hurry up or be quick.
- Means: 'Be quick' or 'Hurry up' in a friendly or neutral way.
- Used in: Catching a bus, meeting friends, or finishing a task.
- Don't confuse: With 'fai prima', which means 'to do something earlier'.
내 수준에 맞는 설명:
뜻
Telling someone to be quick.
문화적 배경
In Italy, being 5-10 minutes late (lo scarto di cortesia) is often socially acceptable. 'Fai presto' is used when that limit is being exceeded. In Naples, you might hear 'Fa' ampress'' instead of 'Fai presto'. It's the dialectal version and carries a very strong sense of immediate action. The phrase is historically significant due to a famous 1980 newspaper headline pleading for help after a devastating earthquake. At a busy Italian bar, 'fai presto' is rarely said to the barista; instead, one uses 'appena puoi' (as soon as you can) to show respect for their craft.
The 'Dai' Boost
Add 'Dai' (Come on) before 'fai presto' to sound more like a native. 'Dai, fai presto!'
Watch the Tone
If said too loudly or sharply, it can sound like you are angry. Keep it light unless you're truly frustrated.
The 'Dai' Boost
Add 'Dai' (Come on) before 'fai presto' to sound more like a native. 'Dai, fai presto!'
Watch the Tone
If said too loudly or sharply, it can sound like you are angry. Keep it light unless you're truly frustrated.
Subjunctive Use
For B1+ learners: Use 'faccia' in 'Spero che tu faccia presto' to sound more advanced.
Regional Variations
In Rome, you might hear 'fà presto' with a truncated 'a'. It's very common in casual speech.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the correct form of 'fare' to tell a group of friends to hurry up.
Ragazzi, ________ presto! Il film comincia!
'Fate' is the imperative form for 'voi' (you all).
Which phrase is the most natural way to tell a friend to be quick?
A: Fai velocemente! B: Fai presto! C: Fai prima!
'Fai presto' is the standard idiomatic expression for 'hurry up'.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
Mamma: 'Marco, la cena è pronta!' Marco: 'Arrivo tra un minuto.' Mamma: '________, si raffredda tutto!'
The mother wants Marco to hurry so the food doesn't get cold.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You are at a formal office and need a clerk to finish a document quickly.
In a formal setting, use the 'Lei' form 'faccia'.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Presto vs. Prima
연습 문제 은행
5 연습 문제Ragazzi, ________ presto! Il film comincia!
'Fate' is the imperative form for 'voi' (you all).
A: Fai velocemente! B: Fai presto! C: Fai prima!
'Fai presto' is the standard idiomatic expression for 'hurry up'.
Mamma: 'Marco, la cena è pronta!' Marco: 'Arrivo tra un minuto.' Mamma: '________, si raffredda tutto!'
The mother wants Marco to hurry so the food doesn't get cold.
You are at a formal office and need a clerk to finish a document quickly.
In a formal setting, use the 'Lei' form 'faccia'.
🎉 점수: /5
자주 묻는 질문
12 질문Only if you have a very close, informal relationship. Otherwise, use 'faccia presto' or 'abbia pazienza, è urgente'.
They are very similar, but 'sbrigati' is more forceful and specifically means 'hurry yourself up'.
No, 'presto' can also mean 'early' (e.g., 'Mi sveglio presto' - I wake up early).
Use the plural form: 'Fate presto!'
It's grammatically correct but sounds less natural than 'fai presto'.
The opposite would be 'fai con calma' (take your time).
Yes, in informal emails, texts, and scripts.
In Italian, many expressions of 'acting' use 'fare' (to do/make) rather than 'essere' (to be).
Yes! Italians often talk to objects. 'Fai presto, stupido computer!'
Between friends, no. It's a normal part of social interaction.
No, 'fai' and 'presto' are the same whether you talk to a man or a woman.
It's a common idiom meaning 'it's easy to say [but hard to do]'.
관련 표현
sbrigati
synonymhurry up
muoviti
similarmove it
in fretta
builds onin a hurry
fare tardi
contrastto be late
datti una mossa
specialized formget a move on
어디서 쓸까?
Catching a Train
Anna: Il treno parte tra due minuti!
Luca: Sto arrivando!
Anna: Fai presto, Luca!
Ordering Fast Food
Cliente: Un trancio di pizza, per favore.
Commesso: Arriva subito.
Cliente: Grazie, faccia presto se può, ho il bus.
Texting a Friend
Giulia: Dove sei? Sono già al bar.
Paolo: Parcheggio e arrivo.
Giulia: Ok, fai presto! ☕
Getting Ready for a Date
Sorella: Sei ancora in bagno?
Fratello: Quasi finito.
Sorella: Dai, fai presto, siamo in ritardo per la cena!
At the Office
Collega 1: Hai finito il report?
Collega 2: Mancano cinque minuti.
Collega 1: Fai presto, il capo lo vuole per le tre.
Emergency Call
Cittadino: C'è stato un incidente in Via Roma!
Operatore: Mandiamo subito un'ambulanza.
Cittadino: Vi prego, fate presto!
암기하기
기억법
Think of a 'Fast Action Italian' — F.A.I. Presto sounds like 'pressed' for time.
시각적 연상
Imagine a giant Italian espresso cup with legs running a marathon. The steam from the coffee spells out 'FAI PRESTO!'
Rhyme
Se vuoi andare al resto, devi fare presto!
Story
You are in Rome, the sun is setting, and you have tickets for the last tour of the Colosseum. Your friend is still eating gelato. You point at your watch and shout 'Fai presto!' so you can catch the magic hour.
In Other Languages
In Spanish, 'date prisa' is the equivalent. In French, it's 'dépêche-toi'. All three languages use a reflexive or light verb construction to convey urgency.
Word Web
챌린지
Next time you are waiting for a computer to load or water to boil, whisper 'fai presto' to it three times.
Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after learning to lock in the imperative 'fai'.
발음
Pronounced like the English word 'fie' or the start of 'five'.
The 'e' is open (like in 'get'). The 'r' is slightly rolled.
격식 수준 스펙트럼
Faccia presto, siamo in ritardo. (General urgency)
Fate presto, siamo in ritardo. (General urgency)
Fai presto, siamo in ritardo. (General urgency)
Datti una mossa, stamo a fa' tardi! (General urgency)
From the verb 'fare' (Latin 'facere') and the adverb 'presto' (Late Latin 'praestus').
재미있는 사실
The word 'presto' is also used in English magic tricks ('Presto, change-o!'), which comes directly from the Italian meaning of 'quickly' or 'immediately'.
문화 노트
In Italy, being 5-10 minutes late (lo scarto di cortesia) is often socially acceptable. 'Fai presto' is used when that limit is being exceeded.
“Ci vediamo alle 8, ma fai presto, non arrivare alle 9!”
In Naples, you might hear 'Fa' ampress'' instead of 'Fai presto'. It's the dialectal version and carries a very strong sense of immediate action.
“Uè, fa' ampress'!”
The phrase is historically significant due to a famous 1980 newspaper headline pleading for help after a devastating earthquake.
“Il titolo 'FATE PRESTO' è rimasto nella storia del giornalismo italiano.”
At a busy Italian bar, 'fai presto' is rarely said to the barista; instead, one uses 'appena puoi' (as soon as you can) to show respect for their craft.
“Un caffè, appena puoi, grazie.”
대화 시작하기
Sei mai in ritardo per gli appuntamenti? Devi fare presto di solito?
Cosa dici a un amico che è molto lento a prepararsi?
In quali situazioni è importante fare presto nella tua città?
자주 하는 실수
Fai velocemente
Fai presto
L1 Interference
Fai prima
Fai presto
L1 Interference
Fare presto!
Fai presto!
L1 Interference
Fai presto a il lavoro
Fai presto con il lavoro
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
¡Date prisa!
Spanish uses the reflexive 'darse' while Italian uses the simple 'fare'.
Dépêche-toi !
French relies almost exclusively on reflexive verbs for this command.
Beeil dich!
German is strictly reflexive; Italian 'fai presto' is a verb-adverb combo.
早くして (Hayaku shite)
Japanese requires different politeness levels (te-form vs. dictionary form) more strictly than Italian.
أسرع (Asri')
Arabic uses a dedicated verb for speed rather than a light verb like 'fare'.
快点 (Kuài diǎn)
Chinese focuses on the adjective 'quick' rather than the action 'do'.
빨리 해 (Ppalli hae)
Korean word order is Adverb + Verb, whereas Italian is Verb + Adverb.
Faz depressa!
Portuguese 'depressa' is more common than 'cedo' (the cognate of presto) in this context.
Spotted in the Real World
“Fai presto, Giosuè! Dobbiamo andare!”
Guido is trying to hide the reality of the concentration camp from his son by turning it into a game with rules and speed.
“Fai presto, non vedi che il tempo non aspetta?”
Commonly used in pop songs about love and missed opportunities.
“FATE PRESTO”
Front page headline after the Irpinia earthquake.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners think it means 'to hurry up'.
Use 'fare prima' for shortcuts or finishing ahead of schedule; use 'fare presto' for speed.
Mixing up 'soon/early' with 'fast'.
'Presto' is about time/deadlines; 'veloce' is about physical speed.
자주 묻는 질문 (12)
Only if you have a very close, informal relationship. Otherwise, use 'faccia presto' or 'abbia pazienza, è urgente'.
usage contextsThey are very similar, but 'sbrigati' is more forceful and specifically means 'hurry yourself up'.
comparisonsNo, 'presto' can also mean 'early' (e.g., 'Mi sveglio presto' - I wake up early).
basic understandingUse the plural form: 'Fate presto!'
grammar mechanicsIt's grammatically correct but sounds less natural than 'fai presto'.
practical tipsThe opposite would be 'fai con calma' (take your time).
comparisonsYes, in informal emails, texts, and scripts.
usage contextsIn Italian, many expressions of 'acting' use 'fare' (to do/make) rather than 'essere' (to be).
grammar mechanicsYes! Italians often talk to objects. 'Fai presto, stupido computer!'
practical tipsBetween friends, no. It's a normal part of social interaction.
cultural usageNo, 'fai' and 'presto' are the same whether you talk to a man or a woman.
grammar mechanicsIt's a common idiom meaning 'it's easy to say [but hard to do]'.
advanced usage
