Meaning
Working full schedule.
Cultural Background
The 'posto fisso' (permanent full-time job) is a cultural obsession, famously satirized in the movie 'Quo Vado?' by Checco Zalone. 'Tempo pieno' in elementary schools means students stay until 4:30 PM, including lunch (mensa). Despite the Italian phrase, many young professionals use the English 'full-time' to sound more modern. In regions with higher unemployment, a 'tempo pieno' contract is seen as a major life achievement and family milestone.
CV Essential
Always use 'a tempo pieno' on your Italian CV. It looks much more professional than the English 'full-time'.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'in tempo pieno'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Meaning
Working full schedule.
CV Essential
Always use 'a tempo pieno' on your Italian CV. It looks much more professional than the English 'full-time'.
Preposition Trap
Never say 'in tempo pieno'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
The 'Posto Fisso'
Mentioning you have a 'tempo pieno' contract in Italy is a subtle way of saying you have a stable, successful life.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition and phrase.
Marco non lavora part-time, lavora ______ ______ ______.
'A tempo pieno' is the standard phrase for full-time work.
Which sentence is grammatically correct for a female speaker?
Anna dice:
The adjective 'pieno' agrees with 'tempo' (masculine), not the person speaking.
Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the standard professional terms in Italy.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Hai trovato lavoro? B: Sì, finalmente un contratto ______!
The preposition 'a' is required when modifying 'contratto'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Work Schedules in Italy
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMarco non lavora part-time, lavora ______ ______ ______.
'A tempo pieno' is the standard phrase for full-time work.
Anna dice:
The adjective 'pieno' agrees with 'tempo' (masculine), not the person speaking.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard professional terms in Italy.
A: Hai trovato lavoro? B: Sì, finalmente un contratto ______!
The preposition 'a' is required when modifying 'contratto'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, you can say 'studente a tempo pieno' to mean a full-time student.
Yes, it's very common in business, but 'a tempo pieno' is the correct Italian term.
No, it always stays 'pieno' because it describes 'tempo' (masculine).
Usually 40 hours per week, but it can be 36-38 depending on the contract.
The opposite is 'a tempo parziale' or, more commonly, 'part-time'.
It's understandable but sounds like a Spanish speaker trying to speak Italian.
It is neutral-formal. You can use it with friends or with your boss.
Usually not. Freelancers say 'lavoro a tempo pieno su questo progetto', but they don't have a 'contratto a tempo pieno'.
It refers to the extended school day until the afternoon.
Yes, figuratively, to show you spend all your time on it.
Related Phrases
a tempo parziale
contrastPart-time
a tempo determinato
similarFixed-term contract
tempo indeterminato
builds onPermanent contract
orario continuato
similarNon-stop hours
