How to Describe Your Daily Routine in Italian: Present Tense and Time Expressions
Learn to say what you do every day in Italian using the present simple and common time expressions like 'alle 7' and 'poi'.
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In this lesson, you will learn how to describe a typical day in Italian, from waking up to going to work. We focus on regular activities using the present simple (presente indicativo) and time expressions. You will practice saying sentences like 'Mi sveglio alle 7, poi vado al lavoro.' This is different from talking about weekend plans, which often use future or conditional forms. Here, we stick to habitual actions. By the end, you will be able to talk about your daily routine in a clear, natural way.
By the end, you can…
- say what time I wake up and go to work in Italian.
- use common time expressions like 'alle 7' and 'poi' to sequence daily activities.
- conjugate regular -are, -ere, and -ire verbs in the present tense for daily routines.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Mi sveglio alle 7.
I wake up at 7.
mee ZVEH-lyoh AHL-leh SEHT-teh
Use 'mi sveglio' for 'I wake up'. 'Alle' is used before a specific time.
Poi faccio colazione.
Then I have breakfast.
poy FAHT-choh koh-lah-TSYOH-neh
'Poi' means 'then' or 'afterwards'. 'Faccio' is the irregular first-person form of 'fare' (to do/make).
Vado al lavoro.
I go to work.
VAH-doh ahl lah-VOH-roh
'Vado' is the irregular first-person form of 'andare' (to go). 'Al lavoro' means 'to work' or 'to the office'.
Alle 8 prendo l'autobus.
At 8 I take the bus.
AHL-leh OHT-toh PREHN-doh LOW-toh-boos
'Prendo' means 'I take'. 'L'autobus' is the bus. You can replace it with 'il treno' (the train) or 'la metro' (the subway).
La mattina lavoro.
In the morning I work.
lah maht-TEE-nah lah-VOH-roh
'La mattina' means 'in the morning'. 'Lavoro' is the first-person form of 'lavorare' (to work).
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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Useful pattern
To describe your daily routine, use the present tense of verbs. For example: 'Mi sveglio alle 7, poi faccio colazione e vado al lavoro.' The pattern is: [reflexive verb or action] + [time expression] + 'poi' + [next action]. Common time expressions include 'alle 7' (at 7), 'di mattina' (in the morning), 'nel pomeriggio' (in the afternoon), 'di sera' (in the evening). Remember that 'alle' is used for specific times, while 'di' or 'la' is used for parts of the day: 'la mattina' or 'di mattina'.
When to use it
Use this structure when talking about habits or routines, such as what you do every day. For example: 'Ogni giorno mi sveglio alle 7.' (Every day I wake up at 7.) It is not used for future plans; for those, you would use the future tense or 'sto per' (I am about to). Also, note that Italian often uses the present tense where English uses the present continuous: 'Sto lavorando' means 'I am working right now', but for routines, use the simple present: 'Lavoro ogni giorno.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
A che ora ti svegli di solito?
What time do you usually wake up?ah keh OH-rah tee ZVEH-lyee dee SOH-lee-tohMi sveglio alle 7, poi faccio colazione e vado al lavoro.
I wake up at 7, then I have breakfast and go to work.mee ZVEH-lyoh AHL-leh SEHT-teh, poy FAHT-choh koh-lah-TSYOH-neh eh VAH-doh ahl lah-VOH-rohE a che ora inizi a lavorare?
And what time do you start working?eh ah keh OH-rah ee-NEE-tsee ah lah-voh-RAH-rehInizio alle 9. La mattina lavoro, nel pomeriggio ho una pausa.
I start at 9. In the morning I work, in the afternoon I have a break.ee-NEE-tsyoh AHL-leh NOH-veh. lah maht-TEE-nah lah-VOH-roh, nehl poh-meh-REED-joh oh OO-nah POW-zahA little context goes a long way
In Italy, lunch (pranzo) is traditionally the main meal of the day, often lasting from 1 to 2 PM, and many shops close for a few hours. Dinner (cena) is usually later, around 8 or 9 PM. When talking about routines, Italians often mention 'la pausa pranzo' (lunch break). Also, in formal contexts, use 'Lei' instead of 'tu' when asking about someone's routine, e.g., 'A che ora si sveglia?'
One thing to watch for
Using 'a' instead of 'alle' before a specific time, e.g., 'a 7' instead of 'alle 7'.
Try this instead: In Italian, 'alle' is the correct preposition for specific times: 'alle 7' (at 7). 'A' is used in other contexts, like 'a mezzogiorno' (at noon) or 'a mezzanotte' (at midnight). So say 'Mi sveglio alle 7', not 'Mi sveglio a 7'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I wake up at 7' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Mi sveglio alle 7.
'Mi sveglio' is the first-person reflexive verb for 'I wake up', and 'alle 7' means 'at 7'. You could also say 'Mi alzo alle 7' if you mean 'I get up'.
2Translate: 'Then I have breakfast and go to work.'
Show a sample answer
Poi faccio colazione e vado al lavoro.
'Poi' means 'then', 'faccio colazione' is 'I have breakfast', and 'vado al lavoro' is 'I go to work'. You can also use 'e' to connect the actions.
3What is the correct preposition for 'at 8' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
alle 8
'Alle' is used for specific times. 'A' is not used before a number for time. So 'alle 8' is correct.
Use the present tense and time expressions like 'alle 7' and 'poi' to describe your daily routine in Italian. Remember to use 'alle' for specific times and 'la mattina' for parts of the day.
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