Collocations in Italian: which verb goes with which noun
Here a sentence can be grammatically right and still wrong. It breaks no rule — nobody says it, that is all. Which verb goes with which noun is not explained by any rule. It is a habit of the language, and habits are learnt in pairs.
A handful of verbs carry almost all of it. Where the obvious choice is a different verb, it is in the third column — those are the places where it goes wrong.
fare
Things that get made or done: a question, a photo, the bed, a trip — and the weather. English often says «ask», «take» or «be» here.
| Italian | English | Easy to get wrong |
|---|---|---|
| fare una domanda | ask a question | tempting: chiedere |
| fare colazione | have breakfast | tempting: avere |
| fare una foto | take a photo | tempting: prendere |
| fare il letto | make the bed | |
| fare la spesa | do the (food) shopping | |
| fare un viaggio | go on a trip, take a trip | tempting: prendere |
| fare la fila | queue, wait in line | |
| fare freddo | be cold (of the weather) | tempting: essere |
| fare attenzione | pay attention, be careful | tempting: pagare |
| fare un errore | make a mistake | |
| fare una passeggiata | go for a walk, take a walk | tempting: prendere |
| fare tardi | be late; stay out or up late |
Posso fare una domanda?Can I ask a question?
Facciamo colazione alle otto.We have breakfast at eight.
Ti faccio una foto davanti al duomo.Let me take a photo of you in front of the cathedral.
avere
Where English says «be»: hungry, thirsty, cold, afraid, right, twenty years old.
| Italian | English | Easy to get wrong |
|---|---|---|
| avere fame | be hungry | tempting: essere |
| avere sete | be thirsty | tempting: essere |
| avere freddo | be cold (of a person) | tempting: essere |
| avere caldo | be hot (of a person) | tempting: essere |
| avere paura | be afraid, be scared | tempting: essere |
| avere fretta | be in a hurry | tempting: essere |
| avere ragione | be right | tempting: essere |
| avere sonno | be sleepy | tempting: essere |
| avere vent’anni | be twenty (years old) | tempting: essere |
| avere bisogno di | need | |
| avere voglia di | feel like, fancy | |
| avere mal di testa | have a headache |
Ho fame, mangiamo qualcosa.I’m hungry, let’s get something to eat.
I bambini hanno sete.The children are thirsty.
Hai freddo? Chiudo la finestra.Are you cold? I’ll shut the window.
dare
Things that are given — including an exam and a look, which English takes or has.
| Italian | English | Easy to get wrong |
|---|---|---|
| dare un esame | sit an exam, take an exam | tempting: prendere |
| dare un’occhiata | have a look, take a look | tempting: prendere |
| dare una mano | give someone a hand, help | |
| dare fastidio | bother, annoy | |
| dare del tu | address someone informally (with tu) | |
| dare retta | listen to someone, take someone’s advice | |
| dare la colpa | blame, put the blame on | |
| dare appuntamento | arrange to meet someone | tempting: fare |
Domani do l’esame di storia.I’m sitting my history exam tomorrow.
Dai un’occhiata a questo documento.Have a look at this document.
Mi dai una mano con la valigia?Can you give me a hand with my suitcase?
prendere
Things that are taken: a train, notes, the sun — and a coffee and a decision, which English has and makes.
| Italian | English | Easy to get wrong |
|---|---|---|
| prendere un caffè | have a coffee | tempting: avere |
| prendere il treno | take the train, catch the train | |
| prendere una decisione | make a decision, take a decision | tempting: fare |
| prendere il sole | sunbathe | |
| prendere freddo | catch a chill | |
| prendere appunti | take notes | |
| prendere in giro | tease, pull someone’s leg | |
| prendere una multa | get a fine, get a parking ticket | tempting: ottenere |
Prendiamo un caffè al bar.Let’s have a coffee at the café.
Prendo il treno delle sette.I’m catching the seven o’clock train.
Hanno preso una decisione difficile.They’ve made a difficult decision.
mettere
Things that are put on, put in place or set going: a jacket, the alarm, an engine.
| Italian | English | Easy to get wrong |
|---|---|---|
| mettere la giacca | put one’s jacket on | |
| mettere in ordine | tidy (up) | |
| mettere la sveglia | set the alarm | |
| mettere in dubbio | question, call into question | tempting: questionare |
| mettere da parte | put aside, save | |
| mettere in moto | start (an engine or a car) | tempting: iniziare |
| mettere paura | frighten, scare | |
| mettere in evidenza | highlight, bring out |
Mettiti la giacca, fa freddo.Put your jacket on, it’s cold.
Ho messo in ordine la camera.I’ve tidied my room.
Metto la sveglia alle sei.I set the alarm for six.