Italian Phrase
È ora di fare un po' di ordine?
Meaning
Literally, “Is it time to do a little order?” In everyday Italian it means “Is it time to tidy up a bit?” or “Should we start putting things in order now?”. The phrase is friendly and often used when a shared space has become a bit messy.
When to use
Use this question when you want to suggest cleaning up a room, desk, or any area that’s gotten untidy, especially in a casual setting with friends, family, or coworkers. It works well as a gentle nudge rather than a command.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Èoradifareunpo'diordine?
È (è)
Third‑person singular of the verb *essere* used as a copula; contracts to *è* with a grave accent.
ora di + infinitive
The construction *ora di* followed by an infinitive expresses that the time has come to do something.
un po' di
Literally ‘a little of’, used to soften a request or indicate a small amount; note the apostrophe after *po*.
ordine (noun)
Means ‘order’ or ‘tidiness’; often used in the idiom *mettere ordine* (to tidy up).
Question mark
The whole sentence is a yes‑no question; intonation rises at the end.
🗨In Conversation
È ora di fare un po' di ordine?
Is it time to tidy up a bit?
Sì, mettiamo via i libri e sistemiamo il tavolo.
Yes, let’s put the books away and straighten the table.
✕Common Mistakes
E ora di fare un po' di ordine?
Missing the accent on *È* changes the meaning to ‘and now…’ instead of the verb *essere*.
È ora di fare un po' d'ordine?
The article *di* should stay separate; *d'* is only used before vowels, not before *ordine*.
È ora di fare un po' di ordini?
*Ordini* is the plural of *ordine* and changes the meaning; keep it singular for the idiom.
↔Alternatives
È il momento di sistemare le cose?
Is it the moment to put things in order?
Facciamo un po' di pulizia?
Shall we do a little cleaning?
Dobbiamo rimettere a posto?
Do we need to put everything back in place?
Cultural Tip
In Italian households, tidying up is often a collective activity, especially before guests arrive. Using a soft phrase like *un po' di ordine* sounds polite and collaborative, avoiding the harshness of a direct command. In the north, you might also hear *mettiamoci un po' d'ordine* which adds a reflexive nuance.