farsi sentire
Lemma: farsi sentire
Translation: to make oneself heard; to speak up; to assert oneself; to make one's presence felt; to be noticeable (verbal phrase)
Etymology: This reflexive verbal phrase combines 'farsi' (to make oneself) from the verb 'fare' (to do, to make) and 'sentire' (to hear, to feel). 'Fare' derives from Latin 'facere' (to make, to do), while 'sentire' comes from Latin 'sentire' (to feel, perceive). The combination creates the idiomatic meaning of making oneself heard or noticed.
Example Usage
Se hai un problema, devi farti sentire.
If you have a problem, you need to speak up.
La fame si fa sentire dopo ore senza mangiare.
Hunger makes itself felt after hours without eating.
Non ti fai sentire da settimane. Come stai?
You haven't been in touch for weeks. How are you?
Il freddo si fa sentire in montagna.
The cold makes itself felt in the mountains.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'making yourself heard' literally - you're causing (fare) yourself (si) to be heard (sentire).
- Imagine a person with a megaphone 'making themselves heard' in a crowd.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This expression is commonly used in Italian to encourage someone to speak up for themselves or to note when someone is making their presence known. It can have both positive connotations (asserting oneself appropriately) and negative ones (being disruptive or causing problems).
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'farsi sentire' means to make oneself heard or noticed, 'sentirsi' simply means 'to feel' in a reflexive sense (to feel oneself in a certain way).
This word:
Devi farti sentire se vuoi ottenere quel lavoro.
You need to speak up if you want to get that job.
Confused word:
Mi sento molto stanco oggi.
I feel very tired today.
Notes: 'Farsi sentire' can also be used in the context of keeping in touch with someone, while 'sentirsi' cannot be used this way.
Mnemonic: 'Farsi sentire' has 'fare' (to make/do) - you're actively making something happen; 'sentirsi' is passive - just experiencing a feeling.
Explanation: Without the reflexive 'si', 'far sentire' means 'to make someone hear/feel something' rather than making oneself heard.
Confused word:
Fammi sentire quella canzone.
Let me hear that song.
Notes: The reflexive form indicates that the action reflects back on the subject.
Mnemonic: With 'si' (farsi sentire), you're the one being heard; without 'si' (far sentire), you're making someone else hear something.