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How to Say ‘So, what do you do in your free time?’ in Italian

Allora, cosa fai nel tempo libero?

ahl-LOH-rah KO-sa fahy nel TEM-poh LEE-beh-roh

[ahl-LOH-rah KO-sa fahy nel TEM-poh LEE-beh-roh]

🇮🇹 In Italy: Allora at the start is a natural conversation-opener, like "so" or "well then". Italians use it constantly to shift topics, and it softens what could feel like an interview question.

Phrase Breakdown

Allora, cosa fai

ahl-LOH-rah KO-sa fahy

So, what do you do

'Allora' means 'so' and opens the topic. 'Cosa fai' means 'what do you do'. 'Fai' rhymes with 'eye'.

Example

Allora, cosa fai domani?

So, what are you doing tomorrow?

Words in this phrase

Allora

[ahl-LOH-rah]

so; well

Filler word used to open or resume a topic.

Example

Allora, cominciamo.

So, let's begin.

cosa

[KO-sa]

What

Used to specify something unknown.

Example

Dire cosa vuoi vedere.

Say what you want to watch.

fai

[fahy]

you do / are doing

Second person singular of 'fare' (to do).

Example

Cosa fai stasera?

What are you doing tonight?

nel tempo libero?

nel TEM-poh LEE-beh-roh

in your free time?

Say LI-be-ro, and let your voice rise at the end for the question.

Example

Cosa leggi nel tempo libero?

What do you read in your free time?

Words in this phrase

nel

[nel]

in the

Combination of in + il, used before a masculine singular noun.

Example

Nel gruppo tutti possono fare domande.

In the group everyone can ask questions.

tempo

[TEM-poh]

time

Refers to duration or a period; very common when discussing work experience.

Example

Ha passato molto "tempo" in ruoli internazionali.

He/She has spent a lot of "time" in international roles.

libero

[LEE-beh-roh]

free, available

Adjective: not taken or occupied.

Example

Questo posto è libero?

Is this seat free?

Guides for Italian learners

Duolingo vs Busuu: Which Is Better for Actually Improving?Duolingo vs Busuu compared: a free gamified habit versus structured levels with corrections from native speakers. Which to choose, and when to use both.

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