Italian Phrase
Facciamo la lista della spesa.
Meaning
Literally “We make the list of the shopping,” this phrase is used to propose that everyone creates a grocery list before heading to the market. It conveys a collaborative, practical tone.
When to use
Use it when you’re planning a grocery trip with family, roommates, or friends, especially right before you leave for the supermarket or when you’re discussing weekly meals.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Facciamolalistadellaspesa
Facciamo
First‑person plural present of *fare* (to do/make). It also works as a polite suggestion meaning “let’s”.
la lista
Definite article + noun; means “the list”.
della
Contraction of *di + la*; translates to “of the”.
spesa
Noun meaning “shopping” or “groceries”.
Phrase structure
Verb + article + noun + prepositional phrase = a complete, idiomatic suggestion.
🗨In Conversation
Che cosa facciamo prima di andare al supermercato?
What should we do before going to the supermarket?
Facciamo la lista della spesa.
Let's make the shopping list.
✕Common Mistakes
Faccio la lista della spesa.
Use *facciamo* (we) instead of *faccio* (I) when speaking for a group.
Facciamo la lista di spesa.
The correct idiom is *lista della spesa*; the article *la* is required after *di*.
Facciamo la lista della spesa?
Add a question particle (*che ne dici?*) if you intend a question; otherwise keep it as a statement.
↔Alternatives
Prepariamo la lista della spesa.
We prepare the shopping list.
Scriviamo la lista della spesa.
We write the shopping list.
Facciamo una lista della spesa.
We make a shopping list.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, families often write a detailed *lista della spesa* to avoid waste, respect the household budget, and keep the shop organized. Many Italians still prefer a paper list, but sharing a digital note via WhatsApp or a dedicated app is increasingly common.