Let’s learn the meanings of the Italian verb farsi

In every language there are words that have multiple meanings – Have a look at Tricky words in Italian: Italian homographs. When learning a foreign language, like Italian, these words are usually some of the most tricky to learn, even if they’re widely used.

One of these words, for example, is the English verb to get. Another one is the Italian verb fare.

So, today, you’re going to learn some of the meanings the Italian verb fare has.

FARE

Fare usually mean to do or to make.

Examples:

a. Sto facendo del mio meglio
I’m doing my best

b. Sta facendo una lista delle cose che deve fare
She’s making a list of the things she has to do

However, the Italian verb fare can also have many other different meanings, especially when it’s used in the form farsi. Let’s see some of them.

FARSI

TO BUY

Farsi in informal italian can mean to buy something for yourself.

A typical example is:

Mi sono fatto la macchina nuova
I’ve bought myself a new car

TO HAVE OR BEGIN A RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE

This expression can be used to indicate both the beginning of a relationship – for example a friendship – and the fact of kissing someone or having a sexual intercourse with someone.

Examples:
a. Si è già fatto dei nuovi amici
He’s already made new friends

b. Marco ieri sera si è fatto Giada
Marco kissed Giada yesterday night/Marco had a sexual intercourse with Giada yesterday night

COOKING or DRINKING SOMETHING

Another meaning of the Italian verb farsi is to cook, to prepare something for yourself or to drink something with a certain satisfaction.

Examples:
a. Ieri mi sono fatto una bella pizza
Yesterday I cooked pizza

b. Lunedí sera mi sono fatto una birra con degli amici
On Monday evening I drank a beer with some friends

TO BECOME

Farsi can also mean to acquire a different role. It’s  especially – but not only – used in relation to religion.

Examples:
a. Renato si è fatto prete
Renato has become a priest

b. La situazione si fa difficile
The situation is becoming difficult

c. Si sta facendo notte
The night is falling

TO TAKE DRUGS

A really common meaning of the Italian verb farsi is to take drugs. In this sense, farsi can be used both seriously and ironically.

Examples:
a. Luca si è fatto di brutto ed è finito in ospedale
Luca took a lot of drugs and ended up at the hospital

b. Cosa ti é successo? Non ti ho mai sentito parlare cosí tanto con persone che hai appena conosciuto! Ti sei fatto di qualcosa?
What happened to you? I’ve never heard you talking so much with people you’ve just met! Did you take drugs?

Did you already know these meaning of the Italian verb farsi?

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Credits

Original image by kahalb