How to Say “Stay Still” in Italian

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stai fermo
To say "stay still" in Italian, you use stai fermo.
This phrase is a request or command to stop moving or remain in one position.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of the second-person singular imperative of stare (to stay/be) and the adjective fermo (still/stopped).

Which one should you use?

While stai fermo refers to physical movement, the phrase stai zitto refers to silence or not speaking.

How does it change in a sentence?

The phrase changes based on who you are addressing. If you are addressing a female, the adjective changes to stai ferma. When addressing more than one person, use state fermi. To use the formal 'Lei' form when addressing a single person, use stia fermo.

Did you know?

  • In Italian legal terms, fermo refers to the 'arrest' or 'detention' of a person, extending the idea of staying still to a loss of legal freedom.
  • In a professional or artistic context, fermo immagine is the Italian term for a 'freeze frame' in film or video, treating the image as if it were told to stai fermo.
  • The word fermo is a direct linguistic relative of the English word 'firm', as both trace back to the same Indo-European root meaning 'to hold'.

Examples in context

  • Stai fermo.
    Stay still.
    This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase stai fermo.
    Tatoeba #4581584 by Guybrush88, translation #2111509 by CK
  • Signore, per favore, rimanga fermo, sto per misurare la sua pressione arteriosa.
    Sir, please stay still, I'm about to measure your blood pressure.
  • Durante una situazione d'emergenza, mantenga la calma e rimanga fermo.
    During an emergency situation, stay calm and stay still.
  • Potresti per favore stare fermo per un attimo? Sto cercando di dipingerti il volto.
    Could you please stay still for a moment? I'm trying to paint your face.
  • Stai fermo mentre ti faccio la foto.
    Stay still while I take your photo.
  • Per favore, stai fermo per un momento.
    Please, stay still for a moment.

Example conversation

Martina is taking a photo of Alessandro.

  1. Martina

    Alessandro, stai fermo!
    Alessandro, stay still!
  2. Alessandro

    Perché? Non mi muovo.
    Why? I'm not moving.
  3. Martina

    Il vento muove i tuoi capelli.
    The wind is moving your hair.
  4. Alessandro

    Va bene, ora sto fermo.
    Alright, I'm staying still now.

Sources

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Ellen Alexa
Ellen AlexaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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