To let someone do something: Italian grammar lesson 194

This grammar note dives into one such intriguing aspect of Italian language: the way one can convey the idea of letting someone do something.

This may seem like a simple concept, but it involves specific grammatical structures that intertwine ‘fare’ or ‘lasciare’ with infinitive verbs. Whether it’s granting permission or expressing a desire, this linguistic construct is essential in daily communication.

Let’s learn how to use it corectly!

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Summary

In Italian, the structure to express to let someone do something is similar to the causative form, but with a distinct meaning. While in English these phrases differ slightly, the Italian structure remains the same: fare + verb in the infinitive. This construction is also interchangeable with lasciare.

When wanting someone to allow an action, the imperative form of fare is often used, addressing one person (you singular). The imperative form involves removing -re from fare and substituting a direct or indirect object pronoun.

This structure is crucial for expressing permission in Italian, adding depth and context to conversations and interactions.

How to express to let someone do something in Italian?

In the lesson about fare causativo, we learned how to make someone do something in Italian.

To recap, we use this structure when we want to make someone do something.

But… what if we want to let someone do something in Italian?

In English, the meaning is slightly different. However, even if the meaning in Italian is also different, the structure is the same: fare + verb in the infinitive.

Let’s have a look at some examples where fare means to let. In these cases, fare could also be replaced by the verb lasciare.

Mia mamma ha fatto entrare in ufficio il suo amico.

My mum let his friend into the office.

I miei genitori non mi fanno uscire.

My parents don’t let me go out.

Quel rumore non mi fa dormire.

That noise doesn’t let me sleep.

to let someone do something

How to use let me see in Italian?

We tend to use this structure a lot when we want someone to let us or someone else do something. In this case, we use the imperative form of the verb fare.

We usually use the imperative to give orders and we mainly use it to address one person (you singular).

In this case, we form it just by removing -re from fare and adding a direct or indirect object pronoun instead.

You’ll notice some letters double:

  • fammi: let me
  • fatti: let yourself
  • fagli, falle, fallo, falla: let him/her
  • facci: let us
  • fagli, falli, falle: let them

Do you remember the difference between direct and indirect object pronouns and verbs? Well, in the third line, fagli and falle are indirect object pronouns, and fallo and falla are direct object pronouns.

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In the last line, fagli is also an indirect object pronoun for both feminine and masculine, while falli and falle are direct object pronouns.

Here are some examples:

Fagli compare quello che vuole!

Let him buy whatever he wants!

Facci entrare!

Let us get in!

Falla dormire!

Let her sleep!

Fammi vedere cosa hai scritto!

Let me see what you wrote!

fare to let

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FAQs on To let someone do something: Italian grammar lesson 194

What is the imperative in Italian?

The Italian Imperative is the grammatical mood used to give commands, instructions, and advice. It can be used to politely or firmly demand someone to do something, suggest an action, or even scold someone.

Is "fare" an irregular verb in Italian?

"Fare" is an irregular verb that can be used in a range of contexts, such as when asking about someone’s job, hobbies, or leisure activities. It is an irregular verb, meaning that it does not follow the typical conjugation pattern of verbs ending in -are.

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12 Responses

  1. Apologies for the typing error. What I meant was 
    I am told that “farmi capire” =” make myself BE UNDERSTOOD” rather than make myself understand.
    Please explain why that is so!

    1. Ciao Morton!

      “Farmi capire” is a reflexive verb. That means the actions reflect itself on the subject. In this case, fare a se stesso or fare a me (farmi is composed by the verb fare and the pronominal particle mi). That is why the meaning is make myself be understood.

      “Fammi capire” is fai capire a me (fare + me). The meaning is make me understand.

      Let us know if we solved your doubt or if you have more questions.

  2. Yes = grazie mille.
    I sent you another question which you have yet to answer.
    II am told that “farmi capper” =” make myself BE UNDERSTOOD” rather than make myself understand.
    I am afraid that just doesn’t make sense to me. Can you please explain?
    Grazie!

    1. Ciao Morton!

      We’ve seen your question and it’s been answered in your latest comment 🙂

    2. @julieta Grazie. OK – treating it as a reflexive verb explains why it is “to be understood”. However, consider these 2 sentences
      1. Puoi farmi vedere il tuo Ferrari
      2. Voglio farmi vedere dai miei amici con la mia Ferrari.
      Doesn’t the 1st one = ” Can you LET ME SEE your Ferrari” and the 2nd one  = ” I want TO BE SEEN by my friends with my  Ferrari”?
      It’s a bit confusing isn’t it when the written words  “farmi vedere” are the same in both sentences!
       

    3. Ciao Morton!

      I understand why it can be confusing for you. But think of it this way: try to compose the sentence “breaking” the reflexive verb to understand the meaning.

      The first sentence would be, Puoi far vedere a me la tua Ferrari? (minor correction: in Italian auto/macchina is a female noun). Can you make me see your Ferrari?

      And the second sentence would be, Voglio far vedere me nella Ferrari ai miei amici. I want to make myself be seen on the Ferrari by my friends.

      Remember that “farmi” is make myself.

      Let me know if it’s less confusing for you or not.

    4. @julieta Apologies for going on about this , but as it happens, I have just watched an Italian TV programme where the sentence “Faccio un altro pezzettino del disegno per farvi capire” was translated as “I’ll do another little piece of the drawing to help you understand”! So in this case, “farvi capire” means “make you (plural) understand” and NOT “make you (plural) be understood”!

    5. Ciao Morton!

      Don’t apologize, we are here to help you on your learning journey so ask all the questions you have!

      Let’s do a little recap before answering your question. Reflexive verbs in Italian come with pronominal particles. I will take as an example the verb Farsi.

      io mi faccio
      tu ti fai
      lei/lui si fa
      noi ci facciamo
      voi vi fate
      loro si fanno

      In the pronominal form it would be:

      Farmi: fare a me
      Farti: fare a te
      Farsi: fare a sé
      Farci: fare a noi
      Farvi: fare a voi

      So “Farvi capire” means fare capire a voi or as you wrote make you (plural) understand. It’s different from “farmi capire” = it’s me who is making myself be understood. While “farvi capire” it’s me who is explaining something to you (plural).

      Make you be understood would be “farsi capire”.

      Let me know if you have any more questions or doubts.

  3. Your lessons keep referring to a previous lesson. But give no clue how to go back to that lesson, or find it. The emails you send do not have the lesson number on the. All very unsatisfactory. Where is lesson 193 ? How could I locate it?

    1. Sorry, I just published it! Please check again. Thank you for telling me. 😛

    2. @stefano 
      You say that “fagli and falle are indirect object pronouns, and fallo and falla are direct object pronouns”
      So does that mean that when one wants to say let him/ her, it doesn’t matter whether one uses a direct  or indirect object pronoun for him/her?

    3. @morton-lim 

      Do these examples answer your question?

      1. E’ innocente. Fallo uscire!
        He’s innocent. Let him out! (direct objet)
      2. Fagli vedere il tuo disegno!
        Let him see your drawing! (= show him) (indirect object)

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