A1 Idiom 비격식체

Fare il furbo

To act sly

Acting in a clever or dishonest way.

🌍

문화적 배경

The concept of 'furbizia' is often contrasted with 'senso civico' (civic sense). While historically admired as a survival skill, it is now often blamed for Italy's economic and bureaucratic hurdles. In the South, 'furbizia' is sometimes linked to the 'Arte di Arrangiarsi'—the creative ability to solve problems in difficult circumstances, often by bending rules. In the North, 'fare il furbo' is often viewed more strictly as a lack of professionalism or work ethic, especially in corporate environments. The term 'furbetti' (little sly ones) became a media buzzword after several scandals involving bankers and public employees, turning a cute diminutive into a sharp insult.

⚠️

Don't overdo it

Calling someone a 'furbo' can be an insult. Use it carefully with strangers.

🎯

Use the diminutive

Use 'furbetto' if you want to sound less aggressive and more like you're teasing.

Acting in a clever or dishonest way.

⚠️

Don't overdo it

Calling someone a 'furbo' can be an insult. Use it carefully with strangers.

🎯

Use the diminutive

Use 'furbetto' if you want to sound less aggressive and more like you're teasing.

💬

The 'Fesso' dynamic

In Italy, if you don't 'fare il furbo', some might call you a 'fesso' (fool). It's a weird cultural double-bind!

셀프 테스트

Choose the correct form of the phrase for a female subject.

Giulia cerca sempre di ______ quando deve pulire casa.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: fare la furba

Since Giulia is female and singular, we use 'la furba'.

Fill in the missing verb in the past tense (Passato Prossimo).

Quei ragazzi ______ i furbi e non hanno pagato il biglietto.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: hanno fatto

The past tense of 'fare' with 'loro' is 'hanno fatto'.

Match the response to the situation.

Someone cuts in front of you at the post office.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Non fare il furbo, mettiti in coda!

This is the standard way to call out someone cutting in line.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Ho detto al professore che il cane ha mangiato il compito.' B: 'Ancora? Smettila di ______!'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: fare il furbo

The context of lying to a teacher fits 'fare il furbo' perfectly.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

Essere Furbo vs. Fare il Furbo

Essere Furbo (Trait)
Intelligent Intelligente
Sharp Acuto
Fare il Furbo (Action)
Sneaky Subdolo
Cheating Imbroglione

Where you see 'I Furbi'

🏛️

Public Life

  • Taxes
  • Queues
  • Public Transport
🏠

Personal Life

  • Games
  • Chores
  • Arguments

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Choose the correct form of the phrase for a female subject. Choose A1

Giulia cerca sempre di ______ quando deve pulire casa.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: fare la furba

Since Giulia is female and singular, we use 'la furba'.

Fill in the missing verb in the past tense (Passato Prossimo). Fill Blank A2

Quei ragazzi ______ i furbi e non hanno pagato il biglietto.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: hanno fatto

The past tense of 'fare' with 'loro' is 'hanno fatto'.

Match the response to the situation. situation_matching A1

Someone cuts in front of you at the post office.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Non fare il furbo, mettiti in coda!

This is the standard way to call out someone cutting in line.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'Ho detto al professore che il cane ha mangiato il compito.' B: 'Ancora? Smettila di ______!'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: fare il furbo

The context of lying to a teacher fits 'fare il furbo' perfectly.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

90% of the time, yes. It implies you are cheating. However, among close friends, it can be a playful way of saying 'I see what you're trying to do!'

Yes, but change it to 'fare la furba'. Example: 'Maria fa la furba'.

There isn't a direct idiom, but 'comportarsi onestamente' (to behave honestly) or 'seguire le regole' (to follow the rules) are the conceptual opposites.

No, it's a standard idiom used by everyone from children to news anchors.

Avoid it. It's too informal and implies a lack of integrity, which is not a good look for a candidate!

It's the 'cute' version of furbo. It's often used for kids or for very small, harmless tricks.

It's a historical cultural trait related to navigating complex bureaucracies and foreign occupations over centuries.

It's a specific type of cheating—the kind where you use your wits to find a loophole.

'Non fare il furbo con me!' is the perfect translation.

No, but it's often used as a nickname for pets, especially cats or dogs that are good at stealing food.

관련 표현

🔗

Essere furbo come una volpe

similar

To be as sly as a fox.

🔗

Fare il finto tonto

similar

To pretend to be stupid/clueless.

🔄

Fare il dritto

synonym

To act like a 'straight' (sharp) guy.

🔗

Essere un fesso

contrast

To be a fool/sucker.

🔗

Furbetti del cartellino

specialized form

People who cheat on their work time-clock.

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