Clear explanation, real usage examples, and a bilingual table for A2–B1 learners.
What are they? In Italian many nouns come from the past participle, feminine singular of a verb: these are called deverbal nouns.
They can describe a single episode (una dormita = a nap, una nuotata = a swim), the result of an action (una ricevuta = a receipt), or appear in fixed idiomatic expressions.
They can describe a single episode (una dormita = a nap, una nuotata = a swim), the result of an action (una ricevuta = a receipt), or appear in fixed idiomatic expressions.
1. Everyday episodes
With fare + deverbal noun we express a single, often short, episode:
- fare una dormita (= to take a nap)
- fare una nuotata (= to go for a swim)
- fare una passeggiata (= to go for a walk)
- fare una mangiata (= to have a big meal)
- fare una bevuta (= to have a drink, often alcohol)
- farsi una risata (= to have a laugh)
- fare una litigata (= to have an argument)
- fare una caduta (= to fall once)
- fare una giocata / partita (= to play a game once)
- fare una battuta (= witty remark / serve in sports)
- fare una suonata (= to play music for a bit)
- fare una scritta (= to write something somewhere)
- fare una chiamata (= to make a call)
2. The result of the action
Here the noun does not express the action, but the result:
- la ricevuta (= receipt)
- la scritta (= something written somewhere)
- la spremuta (= freshly squeezed juice)
- la spesa (= expenses, shopping)
- l’offerta (= offer)
- la proposta (= proposal)
3. Expressions with dare
Not only fare: there are many expressions with dare + noun. Some are deverbal, others are not.
- dare un’occhiata (= quick look) [not deverbal]
- dare una profumata (= to spray perfume)
- dare una sistemata (= to tidy up lightly)
- dare una ripassata (= to revise quickly)
- dare una ordinata (= to put things in order)
- dare una pulita (= quick clean)
- dare una letta (= quick read) [deverbal: leggere → letta]
With the indefinite article (+ fare/dare) the noun expresses one single episode: “Ho fatto una nuotata.”
With the definite article, it becomes a lexical noun: “La nuotata mattutina mi dà energia.”
With the definite article, it becomes a lexical noun: “La nuotata mattutina mi dà energia.”
4. Figurative expressions
- fare una lavata di testa → to scold severely
- dare una tirata d’orecchi → mild scolding
- fumata nera / fumata bianca → “no agreement” / “agreement reached”
5. Not all expressions are deverbal
fare una spesa ✓ — spesa comes from spendere, meaning “a big purchase”.
fare la spesa ✗ — fixed expression: “to do the groceries”.
dare la colpa ✗ — colpa is not deverbal.
fare la spesa ✗ — fixed expression: “to do the groceries”.
dare la colpa ✗ — colpa is not deverbal.
6. Summary table
| Verb | Deverbal noun | Italian example | English meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| dormire | dormita | Ho fatto una dormita dopo pranzo. | I had a nap after lunch. |
| nuotare | nuotata | La nuotata mattutina mi dà energia. | The morning swim gives me energy. |
| passeggiare | passeggiata | Facciamo una passeggiata al parco. | Let’s go for a walk in the park. |
| ridere | risata | Fatti una risata! | Have a laugh! |
| litigare | litigata | Hanno fatto una litigata tremenda. | They had a huge argument. |
| bere | bevuta | Abbiamo fatto una bevuta tra amici. | We had a drink with friends. |
| mangiare | mangiata | Abbiamo fatto una grande mangiata. | We had a big meal. |
| scrivere | scritta | Sul muro c’era una scritta misteriosa. | There was a mysterious writing on the wall. |
| spendere | spesa | Ho fatto una grossa spesa al centro commerciale. | I made a big purchase at the mall. |
| leggere | letta | Ho dato una letta veloce al testo. | I had a quick read of the text. |
| chiamare | chiamata | Ti faccio una chiamata più tardi. | I’ll give you a call later. |
| occhio | occhiata | Dagli un’occhiata veloce. | Give it a quick look. |
Exercises — Check your understanding
Complete the exercises