Italian Phrase
Fai delle commissioni?
Meaning
Literally “Do some errands?”, the sentence is a casual way of asking whether someone is currently running errands – e.g., grocery shopping, going to the post office, or handling other small tasks.
When to use
Use it in informal conversation when you want to know if a friend or family member will be out of the house, when you’re planning to meet up, or when you want to offer help with their tasks.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Faidellecommissioni?
Fai (fare)
Second‑person singular present of the verb *fare* (to do/make). Used here to ask about an activity.
delle (partitive article)
The partitive form of *di + le*, meaning “some”. It signals an indefinite quantity of the noun that follows.
commissioni (plural noun)
Plural of *commissione*, commonly used to refer to errands or small tasks that need to be run.
🗨In Conversation
Fai delle commissioni?
Are you running any errands?
Sì, devo comprare il latte e andare in posta.
Yes, I need to buy milk and go to the post office.
✕Common Mistakes
Fai una commissione?
Using *una* changes the meaning to a single specific task (e.g., a commission or assignment) rather than the generic sense of errands.
Fai la commissioni?
The article must agree in gender and number; *la* is singular feminine, while *commissioni* is plural, so the correct partitive is *delle*.
Fai delle commissione?
The noun must stay plural; *commissione* is singular, so the article should be *una commissione* or the noun should stay plural with *delle commissioni*.
↔Alternatives
Hai delle commissioni?
Do you have any errands?
Stai facendo delle commissioni?
Are you doing some errands?
Sei impegnato/a con delle commissioni?
Are you busy with errands?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, *fare commissioni* usually refers to short, practical trips (buying groceries, picking up a package, etc.). It’s common to ask this before suggesting a coffee or a meal, as Italians often combine errands with a quick social stop. The phrase is informal; with strangers or in a formal setting you’d use *Ha delle commissioni?* (formal ‘you’).