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fare la spesa di persona

/ˈfa.re la ˈspɛ.za di perˈso.na/
verb phrase★Intermediate💡 to shop in person
informal

To physically go to a store to purchase groceries or goods rather than ordering online or having them delivered.

Non amo fare la spesa di persona, preferisco usare la spesa online.

I don’t like shopping in person; I prefer online grocery shopping.

Fare la spesa di persona ti permette di controllare la freschezza dei prodotti.

Shopping in person allows you to check the freshness of the products.

💡

Commonly used to emphasize the act of physically visiting a store, as opposed to digital alternatives.

Collocations

fare la spesa al supermercatoto shop at the supermarketfare la spesa al mercatoto shop at the marketfare la spesa onlineto shop online

Synonyms

fare shopping di personaacquistare in negoziocomprare di persona

Antonyms

fare la spesa onlineordinare a domiciliocomprare tramite app

Related Phrases

fare un giro per negoziphrase
to go window shopping or browse stores
andare a fare la spesaphrase
to go shopping (general phrase)

💡Pro Tip

When to use 'fare la spesa di persona'

Use this phrase when emphasizing the preference for or necessity of physically visiting a store, especially to contrast with online shopping. It’s common in discussions about convenience, product selection, or social interactions.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid literal translation pitfalls

Do not translate 'fare la spesa di persona' word-for-word as 'to make the shopping in person.' The Italian phrase is idiomatic and should be rendered as 'to shop in person' or 'to do in-person shopping.'

📖Word Origin

The phrase combines 'fare' (to do/make) + 'la spesa' (the shopping/groceries) + 'di persona' (in person). 'La spesa' derives from the feminine singular of 'speso' (spent), referring to the act of spending money on necessities like food. 'Di persona' is a prepositional phrase meaning 'in person,' derived from Latin 'persona' (person).

📝Usage Notes

Used in everyday Italian to contrast physical shopping with online alternatives. Common in contexts like grocery shopping, but can apply to any in-person retail purchase.

Word Breakdown

fare
to do/make
verb
+
la spesa
the shopping/groceries
noun phrase
+
di persona
in person
adverbial phrase
Dizionario Italiano-Inglese

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