stare in piedi
/ˈsta.re im ˈpjɛ.di/
To stand in Italian is stare in piedi.
The phrase is used to describe the physical state of supporting oneself on one's feet in an erect position. While stare in piedi describes the state of being upright, if you are referring specifically to the motion of standing up from a sitting position, you should use alzarsi. If you want to describe the ability to support oneself, reggersi in piedi is used and if you wish to describe the act of remaining in that position, you can use rimanere in piedi. To express the opposite state of being seated, use stare seduto.
Meaning: to support oneself on the feet in an erect position (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase stare in piedi literally translates to to stay on feet.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈsta.re im ˈpjɛ.di/. The first of the four syllables is stressed.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the verb stare alone to mean 'to stand'. In Italian, stare usually means 'to be' or 'to stay', so you must include in piedi to specify the physical act of standing.
Did you know?
- While stare in piedi means to stand, the expression stare in gamba means to be capable, clever or 'on the ball'.
- The English word 'state', as in a 'state of being', shares the same linguistic root as the Italian verb stare, both originating from the Latin 'stāre' meaning 'to stand'.
- Unlike English, where 'stand' can mean to tolerate something, Italian uses sopportare for that meaning, making stare in piedi exclusively about posture or existence.
Examples in context
- Non stare in piedi.Don't stand.This sentence is useful for giving a command not to stand using stare in piedi.Tatoeba #5283168 by Guybrush88, translation #2111900 by CK
- Non posso stare in piedi.I can't stand up.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to stand up using stare in piedi.Tatoeba #3691818 by Guybrush88, translation #262193 by CK
- Riesco a malapena a stare in piedi.I can barely stand.This sentence is useful for describing a struggle to stand using stare in piedi.Tatoeba #5643252 by Guybrush88, translation #4495938 by CK
- Si prega di stare in piedi durante il discorso del direttore.Please stand during the director's speech.
- Vi preghiamo di mettervi tutti in piedi per osservare un minuto di silenzio.Please all stand for a minute of silence.
- Sono sempre in piedi quando guardo una partita di calcio.I am always standing when I watch a soccer match.
- Ho dovuto rimanere in piedi per tutto il concerto.I had to stand throughout the entire concert.
- Devo alzarmi dal divanoI have to stand up from the couch
- Sta' lì e non muovertiStand there and don't move
- Fate spazio, per favorePlease make some room
- Dopo l'intervento chirurgico, finalmente riesce a reggersi in piedi da soloAfter the surgery, he can finally stand on his own
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are at a crowded party.
- LorenzoGiulia, preferisci sederti o stare in piedi?Giulia, do you prefer to sit or stand?
- GiuliaPreferisco stare in piedi per parlare con tutti.I prefer to stand to talk to everyone.
- LorenzoVa bene, allora staremo in piedi insieme.Alright, then we will stand together.
- GiuliaSì, è più divertente così.Yes, it is more fun this way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stand” translations and entries stare in piedi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries in, stare, stare in piedi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
