Three verbs you can't do without
andare (to go), fare (to do, to make) and stare (to be well, to stay) are among the most common verbs in Italian. Their present-tense forms break the regular endings, so learn them straight away as fixed forms.
andare — to go
Present of andare
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| io | vado |
| tu | vai |
| lui/lei | va |
| noi | andiamo |
| voi | andate |
| loro | vanno |
andare
Only noi and voi keep the stem and-; every other form uses the short stem va-.
andare says where you are going, or that you are going off to do something (andare a + infinitive).
andare in everyday use
Dove vai?
Where are you going?
Vado a casa.
I'm going home.
Andiamo a mangiare.
We're going off to eat.
andare also asks how things are going: Come va? (How's it going?) — Va bene! (Fine!)
fare — to do and to make
Present of fare
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| io | faccio |
| tu | fai |
| lui/lei | fa |
| noi | facciamo |
| voi | fate |
| loro | fanno |
fare
fare in everyday use
Cosa fai stasera?
What are you doing tonight?
Faccio una passeggiata.
I'm going for a walk.
Cosa fanno i tuoi amici?
What are your friends doing?
fare also appears in many fixed phrases where English uses a different verb. For the weather it is impersonal fa, with no subject (English needs 'it').
Fixed phrases with fare
Faccio colazione.
I have breakfast.
Faccio la doccia.
I take a shower.
Fa caldo.
It's hot.
stare — how you are, to stay
Present of stare
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| io | sto |
| tu | stai |
| lui/lei | sta |
| noi | stiamo |
| voi | state |
| loro | stanno |
stare
stare says how someone is doing, and also means to stay. Where someone is located is essere (Sono a casa = I am at home).
stare in everyday use
Come stai?
How are you?
Sto benissimo, grazie!
I'm very well, thanks!
Oggi sto a casa.
I'm staying at home today.
Characteristics and states such as tired or happy take essere instead: Sono stanco (I am tired).
