Italian Phrase
Come faccio a incrociare lo sguardo?
Meaning
Literally ‘How do I manage to cross the glance?’, this idiomatic question asks for advice on how to make eye contact with someone. It can be used in social, professional, or learning contexts where eye contact is a key communication skill.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to ask a friend, a teacher, or a coach for tips on establishing eye contact—whether you’re preparing for a presentation, a job interview, or a first date.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Comefaccioaincrociarelosguardo?
Come (how)
Interrogative adverb used at the beginning of a question to ask about manner or method.
faccio (I do/make)
First‑person singular present of fare; here it works as a modal verb meaning ‘I manage/ I am able to’.
a + infinitive
The preposition *a* introduces an infinitive to express purpose or ability (e.g., *faccio a capire* → ‘I manage to understand’).
incrociare (to cross)
Infinitive verb meaning ‘to cross’; idiomatically *incrociare lo sguardo* = ‘to make eye contact’.
lo sguardo (the glance/eye contact)
Masculine singular noun preceded by the definite article *lo* because it starts with a consonant cluster *sg*.
🗨In Conversation
Come faccio a incrociare lo sguardo quando parlo in pubblico?
How do I make eye contact when I speak in public?
Prova a guardare prima il pubblico in generale, poi scegli una persona diversa ogni pochi secondi.
Try looking at the audience as a whole first, then pick a different person every few seconds.
✕Common Mistakes
Come faccio incrociare lo sguardo?
Missing the preposition *a* before the infinitive; Italian requires *faccio a + infinitive* in this construction.
Come faccio a incrociare gli occhi?
While *gli occhi* means ‘the eyes’, the idiomatic expression is *incrociare lo sguardo*.
Come fa a incrociare lo sguardo?
Using *faccio* with a third‑person subject (e.g., *Come fa a incrociare lo sguardo?*) changes the meaning to ‘How does he/she make eye contact?’. Keep *faccio* for first‑person questions.
↔Alternatives
Come posso fare per guardare negli occhi?
How can I manage to look into someone's eyes?
Qual è il modo migliore per incrociare lo sguardo?
What is the best way to make eye contact?
Come si fa a mantenere il contatto visivo?
How does one keep visual contact?
Cultural Tip
In Italy, steady eye contact signals confidence and honesty, but staring too long can be perceived as aggressive. Aim for a natural rhythm: meet someone's eyes for 2‑3 seconds, look away briefly, then return. In formal settings (e.g., business meetings) a slightly more restrained gaze is preferred, while among friends a warmer, longer look is common.