fai con calma
take your time
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A friendly way to tell someone to take their time and not feel pressured by the clock.
- Means: 'Take your time' or 'Do it calmly' (literally: do with calm).
- Used in: Social gatherings, shops, or when a friend is rushing to finish something.
- Don't confuse: With 'stai calmo', which is used to tell someone to stop being angry.
Explanation at your level:
意味
Telling someone there is no need to rush.
文化的背景
The 'Pausa Pranzo' (lunch break) is a sacred time where 'fai con calma' is the rule. Shops often close for 2-3 hours, and rushing through a meal is considered unhealthy and impolite. In the South, the pace of life is notoriously slower. 'Fai con calma' isn't just a phrase; it's a survival strategy for the heat and a way to maintain social bonds. Unlike in the US, Italian waiters will rarely bring the check unless you ask for it. They want you to 'fare con calma' and enjoy the table. In Italian WhatsApp culture, adding 'fai con calma' after a request is a sign of high emotional intelligence and respect for the other person's boundaries.
The 'Pure' Power
Add 'pure' (fai pure con calma) to sound 10x more like a native speaker. It adds a layer of genuine permission.
Sarcasm Alert
If you say it too slowly or with a high pitch, it becomes sarcastic. Keep your tone flat and warm for the friendly meaning.
意味
Telling someone there is no need to rush.
The 'Pure' Power
Add 'pure' (fai pure con calma) to sound 10x more like a native speaker. It adds a layer of genuine permission.
Sarcasm Alert
If you say it too slowly or with a high pitch, it becomes sarcastic. Keep your tone flat and warm for the friendly meaning.
The Waiter Test
Use 'faccia con calma' when a waiter is clearing your table but you're still nibbling. It's the ultimate sign of a polite traveler.
自分をテスト
Fill in the correct form of 'fare' for a formal situation.
Signore, ________ pure con calma, non c'è fretta.
'Faccia' is the formal imperative (Lei) form.
Match the phrase to the best situation.
When would you say 'Fai con calma'?
It is used to reduce stress in non-emergency situations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Scusa, sono in ritardo di 5 minuti!' B: 'Non preoccuparti, ________.'
'Fai con calma' is the perfect response to someone apologizing for a small delay.
Which of these is the most natural way to say 'Take your time' in Italian?
Choose the best option:
While others might be understood, 'Fai con calma' is the idiomatic standard.
🎉 スコア： /4
ビジュアル学習ツール
When to say 'Fai con calma'
Social
- • Friends arriving late
- • Someone talking fast
- • Sharing a meal
Service
- • Waiter at a cafe
- • Cashier at a shop
- • Taxi driver
よくある質問
10 問No, it is generally very polite and reassuring. It only becomes rude if used sarcastically.
Use the formal 'Faccia con calma' unless you have a very close, informal relationship.
'Piano' usually refers to physical speed or volume, while 'fai con calma' refers to the lack of pressure.
You would say 'fai presto' or 'sbrigati'.
Yes, from Milan to Palermo, it is a universal Italian expression.
No, it must always be 'con calma'.
No, for that you would say 'fai silenzio' or 'stai zitto'.
Yes, 'faccia pure con calma' is a nice way to say a task isn't urgent.
The plural is 'fate con calma'.
Yes, 'guida con calma' means 'drive safely/don't rush'.
関連フレーズ
senza fretta
synonymwithout haste
con comodo
similarat your convenience
piano piano
similarslowly slowly
sbrigati
contrasthurry up
prenditi tempo
synonymtake time
どこで使う？
At the Supermarket
Customer: Scusi, non trovo il portafoglio...
Cashier: Non si preoccupi, faccia con calma.
Texting a Friend
Friend A: Sto arrivando, scusa il ritardo!
Friend B: Tranquillo, fai con calma. Io sono già al bar.
At a Restaurant
Waiter: Volete ordinare il dolce?
Guest: Ancora no, vogliamo fare con calma.
Helping Someone
Child: Non riesco a allacciare le scarpe!
Parent: Prova ancora, fai con calma.
Workplace
Boss: Ecco il report, ma non è urgente.
Employee: Va bene, allora faccio con calma.
Dating
Person A: Mi piaci, ma voglio conoscerti meglio.
Person B: Certo, facciamo con calma.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Calm Ma' (Calm Mother) telling you not to rush your chores.
Visual Association
Imagine an Italian espresso sitting on a table in a sun-drenched piazza. The steam rises slowly, and there is no one else around. That feeling is 'fai con calma'.
Rhyme
Se non vuoi il dramma, fai con calma!
Story
You are in a small village in Tuscany. You are trying to pay for bread, but you drop your coins. The baker smiles, puts a hand on your shoulder, and says 'Fai con calma'. You breathe, pick up the coins, and realize the world didn't end because you were slow.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Next time you are at a checkout counter or waiting for someone to find something, say 'Fai con calma' (or 'Faccia con calma') out loud.
In Other Languages
Hazlo con calma
Spanish also frequently uses 'tómate tu tiempo' which is more common than the Italian equivalent.
Prends ton temps
French 'doucement' is also used but often implies physical slowness.
Lass dir Zeit
German can sound more like a permission than a social reassurance.
ごゆっくり (Go-yukkuri)
Japanese is much more formal and often used as a set phrase in hospitality.
على مهلك (ala mahlak)
Carries a strong sense of 'at your own pace'.
慢慢来 (Mànmàn lái)
Focuses on the 'speed' (slow) rather than the 'state' (calm).
천천히 하세요 (Cheoncheonhi haseyo)
Often used when someone is eating or working.
Vai com calma
Uses the verb 'go' (vai) more often than 'do' (fai).
Easily Confused
Learners think it means 'take your time' because of the word 'calmo'.
Use 'stai calmo' for emotions (anger/panic) and 'fai con calma' for actions (speed/rushing).
Opposite meaning but similar structure.
Remember 'presto' = fast, 'calma' = slow/peaceful.
よくある質問 (10)
No, it is generally very polite and reassuring. It only becomes rude if used sarcastically.
Use the formal 'Faccia con calma' unless you have a very close, informal relationship.
'Piano' usually refers to physical speed or volume, while 'fai con calma' refers to the lack of pressure.
You would say 'fai presto' or 'sbrigati'.
Yes, from Milan to Palermo, it is a universal Italian expression.
No, it must always be 'con calma'.
No, for that you would say 'fai silenzio' or 'stai zitto'.
Yes, 'faccia pure con calma' is a nice way to say a task isn't urgent.
The plural is 'fate con calma'.
Yes, 'guida con calma' means 'drive safely/don't rush'.
