Italian for Beginners: Make Small Talk About the Weather
Learn to start and keep a brief, polite conversation about the weather in Italian, with common phrases, responses, and cultural tips.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Weather is one of the safest and most common small-talk topics in Italian. In this lesson, you will learn simple phrases to comment on the weather, ask about it, and respond politely. You will also learn how to keep the exchange brief and friendly, which is typical in casual encounters. The focus is on standard Italian, with notes on regional differences where relevant.
By the end, you can…
- comment on the current weather using common expressions.
- ask someone about the weather and respond appropriately.
- keep a weather-related small talk exchange brief and polite.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Che tempo fa?
What's the weather like?
keh TEM-poh fah
Standard way to ask about the weather. Use in casual conversation.
Fa caldo.
It's hot.
fah KAL-doh
Use when the temperature is high. Common in summer.
Fa freddo.
It's cold.
fah FRED-doh
Use when the temperature is low. Common in winter.
C'è il sole.
It's sunny.
cheh eel SOH-leh
Literally 'there is the sun'. Use to describe sunny weather.
Piove.
It's raining.
PYOH-veh
Use when it's raining. Can also say 'Sta piovendo' for 'It's raining right now'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To talk about the weather, you often use the verb 'fare' (to do/make) in the third person singular: 'fa'. For example, 'Fa caldo' (It's hot), 'Fa freddo' (It's cold), 'Fa bel tempo' (The weather is nice). Another common pattern is 'C'è' (there is) + noun: 'C'è il sole' (It's sunny), 'C'è vento' (It's windy). For rain, you can use the verb 'piovere': 'Piove' (It's raining). These are fixed expressions; you don't need to conjugate for other subjects.
When to use it
Weather comments are perfect for starting a conversation with strangers, acquaintances, or in shops. For example, when waiting for a bus, you might say 'Che freddo oggi!' (How cold today!). The other person might reply 'Sì, fa proprio freddo' (Yes, it's really cold). Keep it brief: one or two exchanges are enough. Avoid turning it into a long discussion unless the other person seems interested. In formal situations, you can still use these phrases, but add 'scusi' (excuse me) to get attention: 'Scusi, che tempo fa domani?' (Excuse me, what's the weather like tomorrow?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Che tempo fa oggi?
What's the weather like today?keh TEM-poh fah OH-jeeFa caldo e c'è il sole.
It's hot and sunny.fah KAL-doh eh cheh eel SOH-lehMeno male! Finalmente una bella giornata.
Thank goodness! Finally a beautiful day.MEH-noh MAH-leh! fee-nal-MEN-teh OO-nah BEL-lah jor-NAH-tahSì, speriamo che duri!
Yes, let's hope it lasts!see, speh-RYAH-moh keh DOO-reeA little context goes a long way
In Italy, weather small talk is common and usually brief. It's a way to be friendly without being intrusive. In northern regions, people might comment more on fog or rain, while in the south, heat and sun are frequent topics. Using 'tu' (informal you) is fine with peers, but with older people or in formal contexts, use 'lei' and polite forms like 'Scusi'. Avoid controversial topics; weather is neutral and safe.
One thing to watch for
Using 'È caldo' instead of 'Fa caldo' to say 'It's hot'.
Try this instead: 'È caldo' means 'It is hot' but typically refers to an object being hot, like 'Il caffè è caldo' (The coffee is hot). For weather, use 'Fa caldo'. Similarly, say 'Fa freddo', not 'È freddo', for cold weather.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'What's the weather like?' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Che tempo fa?
This is the standard expression. You could also say 'Com'è il tempo?' but 'Che tempo fa?' is more common in small talk.
2Translate: 'It's raining.'
Show a sample answer
Piove.
Use the verb 'piovere' in the third person singular. 'Sta piovendo' is also correct for 'It's raining right now'.
3What might you say if someone says 'Fa freddo'?
Show a sample answer
Sì, fa proprio freddo!
This agrees and adds emphasis. You could also say 'Hai ragione!' (You're right!) or 'Che freddo!' (How cold!).
Use 'Che tempo fa?' to start, and reply with 'Fa caldo/freddo', 'C'è il sole', or 'Piove'. Keep it short and friendly.
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