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PhrasesTalking About WorkChe orario fai al lavoro?
A2informal

Che orario fai al lavoro?

What are your working hours?

Pronunciation

'Orario' = o-RAH-ryo — four syllables. Stress on the second. 'Fai' = FAI — one syllable.

When to use it

Ask when discussing work-life balance or scheduling. Work hours are a practical and socially relevant topic — Italians are often surprised by each other's working arrangements.

What it means

'Orario' = 'timetable/hours/schedule.' 'Che orario fai?' = 'What hours do you do?' — 'fare' + orario is the natural Italian expression. It can refer to daily hours, start times, or the weekly schedule.

Variations

Inizi presto o tardi?

Do you start early or late?

Simpler question about start time — easy to answer.

Hai un orario fisso o flessibile?

Do you have a fixed or flexible schedule?

Distinguishes between rigid and flexible arrangements.

Quanto durano le tue pause?

How long are your breaks?

Specific about break time — relevant to Italian lunch culture.

Mini Dialogue

— Che orario fai al lavoro? — Dalle otto alle diciassette con un'ora di pausa pranzo. — Orario classico! Io invece faccio orario continuato. — Senza pausa pranzo? Ma come fai?

— What are your working hours? — From eight to five with an hour's lunch break. — Classic hours! I do a continuous schedule instead. — Without a lunch break? But how do you manage?

Cultural Note

The sacred Italian lunch break (at least an hour) is under threat in modern corporate Italy. 'Orario continuato' (no long lunch break) is increasingly common but still resisted by many. The question reveals attitudes about work-life balance.