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Italian Phrase

Hai già fatto il bucato?

/aj ˈdʒa ˈfat.to il buˈka.to/
Meaning"Have you already done the laundry?"
💡

Meaning

Literally, “Have you already done the laundry?” It asks whether the listener has completed washing the clothes, often implying that the speaker needs the laundry done or wants to know if it’s still pending.

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When to use

Use this question in everyday household conversations, especially when you share chores, when you’re planning to go out and need clean clothes, or when you’re checking if the washing machine is free.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Haigiàfattoilbucato?

1

Hai (Present Perfect auxiliary)

‘Hai’ is the second‑person singular present of ‘avere’, used as the auxiliary verb to form the present perfect (passato prossimo).

2

già (Adverb placement)

‘già’ (already) normally appears between the auxiliary verb and the past participle, but it can also be placed before the auxiliary for emphasis.

3

fatto (Past participle)

‘fatto’ is the past participle of ‘fare’. With ‘avere’ it does not change for gender or number.

4

il bucato (Definite article + noun)

‘il’ is the masculine singular definite article; ‘bucato’ means ‘laundry’ (the act of washing clothes).

5

Question intonation

In spoken Italian the rising intonation at the end signals a yes/no question; the written question mark mirrors this.

🗨In Conversation

A

Hai già fatto il bucato?

Have you already done the laundry?

Sì, l’ho messo in asciugatrice. Ti serve qualcosa di pulito?

Yes, I put it in the dryer. Do you need something clean?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Sei già fatto il bucato?

    ‘Essere’ is not used as the auxiliary for ‘fare’; the correct auxiliary is ‘avere’.

  • Hai già fare il bucato?

    After ‘hai’ you need the past participle ‘fatto’, not the infinitive ‘fare’.

  • Hai già fatto i bucati?

    ‘Bucato’ is a collective noun and stays singular; adding an –i makes it incorrect.

↔Alternatives

  • Hai già lavato i vestiti?

    Have you already washed the clothes?

  • Hai già finito il bucato?

    Have you already finished the laundry?

  • Il bucato è già stato fatto?

    Has the laundry already been done?

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy many apartments have a communal washing machine in the building’s basement, so it’s common to ask neighbours or house‑mates about the status of the laundry. Italians also tend to separate whites, colors, and delicates, and they often hang clothes on a balcony to dry rather than using a dryer.