Italian Phrase
Fa abbastanza ridere.
Meaning
Literally, 'It makes enough laugh', the idiomatic meaning is 'It's pretty funny' or 'It’s funny enough to make you laugh'. It’s used to comment on something that is amusing but not necessarily hilarious.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal conversation when you want to say that a joke, video, situation, or comment is amusing enough to provoke laughter. It works well after someone asks for your opinion on something humorous.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Faabbastanzaridere
Impersonal 'fa' (fare)
The verb *fare* is used impersonally to indicate that something causes a reaction: *fa ridere* = 'makes (someone) laugh'.
Abbastanza (adverb)
*Abbastanza* means 'enough' or 'quite' and modifies the whole clause, softening or intensifying the statement.
Ridere (infinitive)
*Ridere* is the infinitive of the verb 'to laugh'. In this construction it follows *fa* directly without a subject.
🗨In Conversation
Hai visto il nuovo spot pubblicitario?
Did you see the new commercial?
Sì, fa abbastanza ridere.
Yes, it’s pretty funny.
✕Common Mistakes
È abbastanza ridere.
The verb *fare* is required; *è* (to be) does not convey the causative meaning.
Fa troppo ridere.
Using *troppo* can sound exaggerated; *abbastanza* is the intended moderate intensity.
Fa ridere molto.
The adverb should precede the infinitive, not follow it.
↔Alternatives
È piuttosto divertente.
It's rather entertaining.
Fa molto ridere.
It makes you laugh a lot.
È abbastanza divertente.
It's quite entertaining.
Cultural Tip
In Italian, *fa ridere* is a common idiom for describing humor. Adding *abbastanza* softens the praise, suggesting the thing is funny but not side‑splitting. Italians often use this phrasing in casual chats, especially when reacting to memes, TV shows, or jokes among friends.