10 Ways to Say “Hurry Up” in Italian

Picture this: you’re short on time, di corsa (in a rush), anxiously waiting for that Italian friend who seems to be a master at making you wait forever. What do you say to mettergli fretta (rush him)? Don’t worry – whether it’s meeting up for dinner, getting ready to go out, or finishing something that was due, like, yesterday, in this article you’ll find the top 10 ways to say “hurry up” in Italian. With these phrases, the next time your friends are dragging their feet, you’ll know exactly how to speed things up!

1. Sbrigati!

(Hurry up!)

Let’s start with a classic: Sbrigati! This is one of the most common ways to say “hurry up” in Italian. It’s the imperative form of the reflexive verb sbrigarsi (to hurry), which comes from briga, meaning “trouble” or “hassle.” So, when you say sbrigati, you’re basically telling someone to get a move on.


You can tweak it to fit the situation:

  • Sbrigati – informal, singular
  • Si sbrighi – formal, singular
  • Sbrigatevi – informal, plural

Typically, sbrigati is great for informal settings, but if you need to gently nudge a stranger or someone in a posh environment, use si sbrighi:


Young man checking his watch and pulling suitcase.

2. Muoviti!

(Come on!)

Another popular way to tell someone to “hurry up” in Italian is muoviti, literally meaning “move yourself.” This handy little phrase comes from the reflexive verb muoversi (to move oneself), and it’s perfect for those moments when someone is taking too long or seems distracted:


Just like sbrigarti, muoviti changes depending on who you’re addressing:

  • Muoviti – informal, singular
  • Si muova – formal, singular
  • Muovetevi – formal or informal, plural

In addition to telling someone to hurry up, muoviti can also be a reminder to get physically active, like telling someone to “get moving” in the workout sense. And if you’re into Italian pop music, you might recognise it from Jovanotti’s hit song “Muoviti muoviti”!

3. Spicciati!

(Hurry up!) 

Spicciati! is a close cousin to muoviti, perfect as a casual way to tell someone to hurry up in Italian. It’s the imperative form of the reflexive verb spicciarsi, which means “to hurry” or “to get something done quickly”. If you’re talking to a group, you’ll need to switch to spicciatevi:


When deciding between muoviti and spicciati, it’s largely a matter of personal preference. Both are informal, but spicciati tends to sound even more relaxed and colloquial, making it perfect for those easy-going moments.

Late woman looking at her watch

4. Datti una mossa!

(Get a move on!)

This ultra-informal Italian phrase means “make a move” and its origin is believed to have something to do with the Palio di Siena, Italy’s iconic horse race. The word mossa refers to the start of the race, giving this expression a sense of urgency and action.


Once again, you can adapt the expression depending on who you’re speaking to:

  • Datti una mossa – informal, singular
  • Si dia una mossa – formal, singular
  • Datevi una mossa – formal or informal, plural

This expression is also often used to inject some motivation or friendly pressure:


5. Fai presto! / Fai in fretta!

(Hurry up!) 

For a more polite way to tell someone to hurry up in Italian, fai presto and fai in fretta are your go-to. These phrases come from the expressions fare presto and fare in fretta, which literally mean “to make quick.” Add a per favore (please) and you’ll keep things extra courteous!


Here’s how to tailor these expressions to your audience:

  • Fai presto / Fai in fretta – informal, singular
  • Faccia presto / Faccia in fretta – formal, singular
  • Fate presto / Fate in fretta – formal or informal, plural

Quick grammar note: fai is the second person singular imperative of fare (to do, to make) and often loses its final –i to become fa’ (with an apostrophe, not an accent!) This trick isn’t exclusive to fare; it also happens with other popular verbs like dare (to give) stare (to stay), andare (to go).

Stressed young traveller with backpack running by train station platform

6. Dai!

(Come on!) 

Technically speaking, dai is an articulated preposition in Italian, but we also use it as an interjection to urge someone to hurry up. While informal, dai is so widely used that it can easily slip into many types of conversations, from casual chats with friends to exchanges with colleagues. Just be mindful of your tone, as it can change its meaning slightly, from friendly encouragement to annoyance or frustration:


You’ll also frequently hear dai mixed with other expressions in this guide to intensify the urgency, for instance:


7. Su!

(Come on!)

Su is another preposition (this time a simple one, meaning “on”), which doubles as an interjection to encourage someone to hurry up in everyday conversation:


You’ll often hear su paired with other expressions, making it even more emphatic. For instance: 

  • Su, dai, sbrigati! (Come on, hurry up!)
  • Su, muoviti! (Come on, move it!)
  • Su, fa in fretta! (Come on, be quick!)
close up of medics or doctors running along hospital corridor

8. Veloce! / Svelto!

(Quick!)

These are informal expressions used as a command in the sense of telling someone to do something quickly in colloquial speech.


From a grammatical perspective, veloce and svelto are adjectives that describe something that moves or happens with speed. Svelto changes its ending based on the subject it refers to, while veloce remains unchanged for singular feminine forms and becomes veloci for plural forms, regardless of gender.

9. Che aspetti?

(What are you waiting for?) 

Che aspetti is a bit of a sarcastic, playful way to say “hurry up” in Italian, just like the English “What are you waiting for?”. Imagine you’ve been waiting forever for your friend to finally visit you, but he’s nowhere to be found. Then one day, you randomly bump into him on the street. That’s when you can say:


If you’re addressing a whole crowd of slowpokes, just switch it up to Che aspettate? – same sarcasm, just in plural form!

10. Forza!

(Come on!)

Forza literally means “strength” and in everyday Italian is often used to urge someone to pick up the pace. Say you’re late for the paediatrician’s appointment, your kids are dragging their feet, and you’re running out of patience. You could say:



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