Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| fermo | /ˈfer.mo/ |
| calmo | /ˈkal.mo/ |
| immobile | /imˈmɔ.bi.le/ |
| quieto | /ˈkwjɛ.to/ /kwiˈɛ.to/ |
| tranquillo | /tranˈkwil.lo/ |
These terms are used to describe a lack of physical motion or a state of peace. You can use the expressions stare fermo or stare tranquillo to tell someone to stop moving or to ask them to calm down. If you mean 'still' in the sense of 'always' or 'constantly', use sempre. If you are referring to a period of silence or calm, the noun quiete is used.
Which one should you use?
Use fermo to describe a lack of physical motion. In contrast, tranquillo or calmo are used to describe a state of peace or a lack of agitation. While fermo can describe both people and objects, immobile is often used for more technical or absolute descriptions of something that cannot or will not move.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective fermo must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use ferma for a feminine singular subject, fermi for a masculine plural or mixed-gender group and ferme for a group of only females.
How do you pronounce it?
fermo is pronounced /ˈfer.mo/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- In Italian legal terms, a fermo can refer to the official seizure or impounding of a vehicle by the police.
- The word fermo shares an ancient root with the English word 'firm', both tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European word meaning 'to hold'.
- The phrase stare fermo can be used figuratively to mean 'to keep one's opinion' or 'to remain consistent' in a debate.
Examples in context
- Tom è rimasto fermo.Tom remained still.This sentence shows how to use fermo to describe a person remaining still.Tatoeba #5399525 by Guybrush88, translation #2237615 by CK
- L'oceano non è mai fermo.The ocean is never still.This sentence uses fermo to describe the ocean not being still.Tatoeba #13776316 by Guybrush88, translation #6696009 by Hybrid
- L'acqua è ancora immobile.The water is still still.This sentence shows how to use immobile to describe water that is still.Tatoeba #13943346 by Guybrush88, translation #13615899 by Babelball
- Maria è ancora qui.Maria is still here.
- Io non ho ancora finito il lavoro.I haven't finished the work yet.
- Siamo ancora in attesa di risposta.We are still waiting for a response.
- L'azienda è tuttora leader nel settore.The company is still a leader in the industry.
- Tu giochi ancora a calcio?Do you still play soccer?
- Ancora mi ami?Do you still love me?
- Ancora non l'ho visto, e tu?I still haven't seen it, and you?
- Stai fermo un attimo!Stay still for a moment!
- Resta qui ancora un po'.Stay here a little longer.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco is taking a photo of Chiara in a park.
- FrancescoResta fermo un momento, per favore.Stay still for a moment, please.
- ChiaraOk, sono pronta per la foto.Ok, I am ready for the photo.
- FrancescoOra resta proprio fermo!Now stay really still!
- ChiaraCe l'hai fatta, Francesco?Did you get it, Francesco?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “still” translations and entries fermo, calmo, immobile, quieto, tranquillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calmo, fermo, immobile, quieto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
