doveva fare

had to do

→ dovere

phrase Rare #22,641

had to do Formed from the imperfect of dovere (doveva, “he/she had to”) and fare (“to do”). Depending on context, it can also mean “was supposed to do.”

IT: Doveva fare quello che gli aveva chiesto.

EN: He had to do what she had asked him.

E ha fatto cose che non doveva fare.

And he did things he shouldn't have done.

— Send Help (2026)

Ti doveva fare un pompino?

Were they supposed to give you a blowjob?

— Le iene (1992)

Il pilota non doveva fare altro che andare il più veloce possibile.

The pilot had nothing to do but go as fast as possible.

— Senna (2010)

Sapeva che doveva fare qualcosa.

He knew he had to do something.

Doveva fare un esame ieri..?

Were you supposed to take an exam yesterday..?

— Suzume (2022)

Mary non ha fatto quello che doveva fare.

Mary didn’t do what she was supposed to do.

Il sequestro doveva fare da esca.

The kidnapping was meant to be a bait.

— The Rip - Soldi sporchi (2026)

Tom ha detto che non sapeva cosa doveva fare.

Tom said he didn't know what he was supposed to do.

Poteva fare quello che doveva fare.

He could do what he had to do.

Ogni uomo che la guardava, si doveva fare, per forza, una sega.

Every man who looked at her had to jerk off.

— Le iene (1992)

Ha detto che voleva andare a dormire presto perché doveva fare molta strada.

He said he wanted to go to sleep early because he had a long way to go.

— Psyco (1960)

Doveva fare loro lezione per ripagare i debiti di suo padre.

He had to teach them to repay his father’s debts.

— Hamnet - Nel nome del figlio (2025)