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How to Say ‘That's usually the way’ in Italian

Di solito si fa così

dee so-lee-to see fah koh-ZEE

[dee so-lee-to see fah koh-ZEE]

💬 Usage Tip: si fa means "one does" or "it's done", with no specific person. Reuse it with other verbs: si dice così "that's how you say it".

Phrase Breakdown

Di solito

dee so-lee-to

Usually

This is a common adverbial phrase. Stress 'SO': di SO-li-to.

Example

Di solito mangio alle otto.

I usually eat at eight.

Words in this phrase

[dee]

of / as (in 'di solito')

Part of the expression 'di solito' meaning usually.

Example

Di solito mangio alle otto.

I usually eat at eight.

solito

[so-lee-to]

Usually

Describes a common occurrence or action.

Example

Di solito il traffico è intenso.

Usually the traffic is heavy.

si fa così

see fah koh-ZEE

it's done this way

This is the impersonal 'si' with 'fa', meaning 'one does'. Stress the final 'SÌ' of 'così'.

Example

In Italia si fa così.

In Italy it's done this way.

Words in this phrase

[see]

one / you / people

Impersonal si, used to mean people in general or you in a general sense.

Example

In "Si sta più comodi", "Si" rende la frase generale e naturale.

In "Si sta più comodi," "Si" makes the sentence general and natural.

[fah]

does

Performs an action or task.

Example

Fa freddo qui dentro.

It is cold in here.

così

[koh-ZEE]

so / this way

"Così" can mean "so," "thus," or "this way," often showing result or manner.

Example

Così restiamo in contatto dopo l’incontro.

This way we stay in touch after the meeting.

Guides for Italian learners

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