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fare la spesa
/ˈfa.re la ˈspɛ.za/
go grocery shopping
Devo fare la spesa al supermercato.
I need to go grocery shopping at the supermarket.
informal
To purchase food and household essentials at a store, typically a supermarket.
Vado a fare la spesa ogni sabato mattina.
I go grocery shopping every Saturday morning.
Non dimenticare di fare la spesa prima che chiuda il negozio!
Don't forget to go grocery shopping before the store closes!
Commonly used in everyday Italian to refer to the act of shopping for food and daily necessities. The phrase can also imply a routine activity rather than a one-time event.
Collocations
fare la spesa onlineto shop onlinefare la spesa al mercatoto shop at the marketlista della spesashopping list
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Mistake
Avoid using 'fare la spesa' to mean 'to do shopping' in general. For non-grocery shopping, use 'fare shopping' or specify the type (e.g., 'fare shopping per vestiti' = to shop for clothes).
Gold Rule
When to Use
Use 'fare la spesa' when referring to purchasing food, household items, or daily necessities. It is not used for clothes, electronics, or other non-essential goods.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'fare' (to do/make) with 'la spesa' (the shopping). 'Spesa' derives from the Latin 'expensa' (expenses), reflecting the historical practice of tracking costs during shopping.
Usage Notes
In Italian, 'fare la spesa' is specifically used for grocery shopping, while 'fare shopping' can refer to any type of shopping. The phrase is universally understood across Italy.
Word Breakdown
fare
to do/make
verbla spesa
the shopping (grocery)
noun phraseDizionario Italiano-Inglese