Meaning
To pretend not to know something.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'furbizia' is central here. Italians often appreciate the cleverness of someone who can 'fare lo gnorri' successfully, even if it's annoying. The phrase has strong roots in Tuscan dialect, where many Italian idioms involving word-play and truncation originated. In the South, 'fare lo gnorri' can sometimes overlap with the social code of silence, though it remains a much lighter term. With WhatsApp and social media, 'fare lo gnorri' now includes pretending you didn't see a message or a tag.
Article Rule
Always use 'lo' or 'gli'. Never 'il' or 'i'.
Don't be rude
Using this with a boss might be risky as it accuses them of lying.
Meaning
To pretend not to know something.
Article Rule
Always use 'lo' or 'gli'. Never 'il' or 'i'.
Don't be rude
Using this with a boss might be risky as it accuses them of lying.
The Shrug
When you say this, accompany it with a classic Italian shoulder shrug for maximum effect.
Test Yourself
Conjugate the verb 'fare' correctly in the present tense.
Perché tu ______ sempre lo gnorri quando ti chiedo di aiutarmi?
The subject is 'tu', so the correct present tense of 'fare' is 'fai'.
Which article is correct for 'gnorri'?
Marco ha fatto ____ gnorri.
Words starting with 'gn-' require the masculine article 'lo'.
Match the response to the situation.
Situazione: Hai rotto un bicchiere e tua madre ti guarda male.
Playing the gnorri means pretending you don't know about the broken glass.
Complete the dialogue with the correct plural form.
A: 'I ragazzi sapevano del compito?' B: 'Sì, ma hanno ______ ______ ______ per non farlo.'
The subject is 'i ragazzi' (plural), so we use 'gli gnorri'. The past participle 'fatto' remains unchanged in this construction.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesPerché tu ______ sempre lo gnorri quando ti chiedo di aiutarmi?
The subject is 'tu', so the correct present tense of 'fare' is 'fai'.
Marco ha fatto ____ gnorri.
Words starting with 'gn-' require the masculine article 'lo'.
Situazione: Hai rotto un bicchiere e tua madre ti guarda male.
Playing the gnorri means pretending you don't know about the broken glass.
A: 'I ragazzi sapevano del compito?' B: 'Sì, ma hanno ______ ______ ______ per non farlo.'
The subject is 'i ragazzi' (plural), so we use 'gli gnorri'. The past participle 'fatto' remains unchanged in this construction.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsOnly in this idiom! You won't find it used as a standalone noun in modern Italian.
Yes, just change the article and ending: 'fare la gnorri'.
Not inherently, but it is an accusation of lying/pretending, so use it with people you know.
'Mentire' is to tell a lie. 'Fare lo gnorri' is specifically to pretend you don't know something.
Probably not. It's too informal. Use 'non essere a conoscenza' instead.
Yes: 'fare gli gnorri'.
It's used everywhere in Italy, though it has a slightly more 'standard' feel than 'fare l'indiano'.
Yes, 'su' (on/about) is the correct preposition for the topic.
Yes, 'fare il finto tonto' is a very common slang alternative.
Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, like the 'n' in 'onion'.
Related Phrases
fare l'indiano
synonymTo play the Indian
fare orecchie da mercante
similarTo turn a deaf ear
cadere dalle nuvole
similarTo be caught completely off guard
fare la gatta morta
relatedTo play the dead cat
fare finta di niente
synonymTo pretend nothing is happening
