andare a spasso
To go for a walk
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'andare a spasso' when you are walking purely for pleasure, relaxation, or to clear your head.
- Means: To go for a stroll or wander aimlessly for enjoyment.
- Used in: Casual conversations about weekend plans, hobbies, or relaxing after dinner.
- Don't confuse: With 'andare a piedi', which means walking as a mode of transport.
Explanation at your level:
मतलब
Walking around for pleasure.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
The 'Passeggiata' is a social ritual where people walk slowly through the main streets before dinner. It's about community, fashion, and social connection. In the south, the evening walk is often called 'lo struscio'. It refers to the sound of many feet shuffling on the stone pavement. Sunday lunch is usually followed by 'andare a spasso'. It is considered essential for digestion ('fare il fondo') and family bonding. In big cities like Milan, 'andare a spasso' often involves 'window shopping' in the high-fashion districts, even if one has no intention of buying.
The Dog Rule
If you see someone with a dog, always use 'portare a spasso'. It's the most natural way to talk about pets.
Auxiliary Verb
Never use 'avere' with 'andare'. It's always 'sono andato', never 'ho andato'.
मतलब
Walking around for pleasure.
The Dog Rule
If you see someone with a dog, always use 'portare a spasso'. It's the most natural way to talk about pets.
Auxiliary Verb
Never use 'avere' with 'andare'. It's always 'sono andato', never 'ho andato'.
Sound like a local
Use 'andiamo a fare due passi' for a more casual, native-sounding invitation.
The Sunday Stroll
If you're in Italy on a Sunday, join the crowd! It's the best way to practice the phrase in real life.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'andare'.
Domenica scorsa, io e Maria _______ a spasso per il centro.
Since Maria is female and 'io' is the speaker (assuming female for this context, or 'andati' if mixed), 'siamo andate' is the correct feminine plural form with the auxiliary 'essere'.
Which sentence correctly describes taking a dog for a walk?
Come si dice 'I take the dog for a walk'?
The verb 'portare' (to carry/take) is used when you are leading an animal or a child.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
In which situation would you say 'Sono a spasso'?
In its figurative sense, 'essere a spasso' means to be unemployed.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vuoi venire al cinema? B: No, preferisco stare all'aria aperta. ________.
The context of 'aria aperta' (open air) and 'preferisco' suggests a leisure activity like strolling.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
A Spasso vs. A Piedi
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालNot really. 'Andare a spasso' is for easy, flat walking. For hiking, use 'fare trekking' or 'andare in montagna'.
It's neutral to informal. You can use it with friends, family, and colleagues, but maybe not in a legal document.
'Passeggiare' is a single verb and slightly more formal. 'Andare a spasso' is a more common, everyday idiom.
No, 'spasso' implies walking. For a drive, say 'vado a fare un giro in macchina'.
It's ironic. If you are 'at leisure' when you should be working, it implies you have no work to do.
No, in this fixed phrase, it is always 'a spasso', never 'allo spasso'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian phrase understood from Milan to Sicily.
Yes, 'portare il bambino a spasso' (in a stroller or walking) is very common.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'andare di corsa' (to go in a hurry) is the opposite in terms of energy.
Yes, 'che spasso!' means 'how fun!' or 'what a laugh!'
संबंधित मुहावरे
andare a zonzo
synonymTo wander aimlessly.
fare quattro passi
similarTo take a short walk.
portare a spasso
builds onTo take (someone/something) for a walk.
essere a spasso
specialized formTo be unemployed.
mandare a spasso
specialized formTo fire someone.
कहाँ इस्तेमाल करें
Walking the dog
A: Dove vai?
B: Porto il cane a spasso.
After a big dinner
A: Sono pienissimo!
B: Andiamo a spasso per dieci minuti?
Sunday afternoon
A: Che facciamo oggi?
B: Andiamo a spasso in centro a vedere le vetrine.
On a date
A: Ti va di andare a spasso sul lungomare?
B: Sì, volentieri. È molto romantico.
Exploring a new city
A: Prendiamo la mappa?
B: No, andiamo a spasso e vediamo cosa troviamo.
Talking about a friend's job
A: Come va il lavoro di Luca?
B: Purtroppo l'hanno mandato a spasso.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Space': When you go 'a spasso', you are giving yourself 'space' to breathe and relax.
Visual Association
Imagine a person walking slowly through a sunny Italian piazza with a gelato in hand, looking at the architecture and smiling at neighbors.
Rhyme
Se vuoi stare rilassato, a spasso va' beato!
Story
Marco was stressed at work. He decided to leave his phone at home and just 'andare a spasso'. He walked through the park, watched the ducks, and felt his stress 'expand' and disappear into the air. Now, he goes 'a spasso' every day.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Next time you take a walk, tell yourself in Italian: 'Sto andando a spasso'. Try to describe three things you see using simple Italian adjectives.
In Other Languages
Ir a dar un paseo
Italian uses 'andare' + 'a' + noun, Spanish uses 'dar' + 'un' + noun.
Se balader
French uses a reflexive verb, Italian uses a motion verb + prepositional phrase.
Spazieren gehen
German treats 'spazieren' as a verb that modifies 'gehen', while Italian uses the noun 'spasso'.
散歩する (Sanpo suru)
Japanese uses a noun-verb compound (suru-verb), Italian uses a prepositional phrase.
يتنزه (Yatanazzah)
Arabic uses a specific verb form (Form V) to denote the action, rather than a 'go' construction.
散步 (Sàn bù)
Chinese uses a verb-object compound that functions as a single verb.
산책하다 (Sanchaekhada)
Korean uses the 'hada' (to do) auxiliary with a Hanja-derived noun.
Dar um passeio
Like Spanish, it uses 'dar' instead of 'andare'.
Easily Confused
Both involve walking.
Use 'a piedi' for transport (I walk to work) and 'a spasso' for fun (I walk in the park).
Both are leisure activities.
'Camminata' implies more effort or a longer distance, like a hike.
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल (10)
Not really. 'Andare a spasso' is for easy, flat walking. For hiking, use 'fare trekking' or 'andare in montagna'.
It's neutral to informal. You can use it with friends, family, and colleagues, but maybe not in a legal document.
'Passeggiare' is a single verb and slightly more formal. 'Andare a spasso' is a more common, everyday idiom.
No, 'spasso' implies walking. For a drive, say 'vado a fare un giro in macchina'.
It's ironic. If you are 'at leisure' when you should be working, it implies you have no work to do.
No, in this fixed phrase, it is always 'a spasso', never 'allo spasso'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian phrase understood from Milan to Sicily.
Yes, 'portare il bambino a spasso' (in a stroller or walking) is very common.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'andare di corsa' (to go in a hurry) is the opposite in terms of energy.
Yes, 'che spasso!' means 'how fun!' or 'what a laugh!'
