Italian Phrase
Controlliamo prima il frigo.
Meaning
‘Let’s check the fridge first.’ The speaker proposes that the group inspect the refrigerator before doing something else, such as cooking or going shopping.
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re about to start a task that depends on what’s inside the fridge—e.g., before preparing a meal, before a grocery run, or when you suspect something is missing.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Controlliamoprimailfrigo
Controlliamo (present indicative)
First‑person plural of ‘controllare’; in Italian the present can be used to make a polite suggestion or inclusive command.
prima (adverb)
Means ‘first’; placed before the object for emphasis, but can also follow the verb.
il frigo (colloquial noun)
Short for ‘frigorifero’; acceptable in informal speech, while ‘frigorifero’ is preferred in formal contexts.
🗨In Conversation
Controlliamo prima il frigo?
Shall we check the fridge first?
Sì, vediamo se c'è ancora latte.
Yes, let’s see if there’s still milk.
✕Common Mistakes
Controlliamo il frigo prima di.
The phrase ‘prima di’ needs a following verb (e.g., ‘prima di uscire’). Leaving it hanging is incomplete.
Controlliamo prima il frigorifero.
Using ‘frigorifero’ isn’t wrong, but it sounds overly formal in casual conversation where ‘frigo’ is preferred.
Controlliamo prima il frigo, noi.
Adding ‘noi’ after the verb is redundant; the verb already includes the subject.
↔Alternatives
Diamo un'occhiata al frigo prima.
Let's take a look at the fridge first.
Prima controlliamo il frigo.
First, we check the fridge.
Facciamo prima un controllo del frigo.
Let's first do a check of the fridge.
Cultural Tip
In Italian families it’s common to glance at the fridge before deciding what to cook or before heading to the market. ‘Frigo’ is everyday slang; if you’re speaking to someone you don’t know well, use ‘frigorifero’ to sound more polite.