Smettila di piangere
The English phrase 'stop crying' is translated into Italian as Smettila di piangere.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb smettere (to stop), the pronoun la (it) and the prepositional phrase di piangere (of crying).
Which one should you use?
Including the pronoun la (it) in Smettila di piangere makes the command feel more emphatic or directed at a specific continuous action compared to the simpler Smetti di piangere.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Italy, especially in the Neapolitan dialect, the informal phrase Lassa de chiagne is typical for 'stop crying'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form Smettila di piangere uses the imperative mood with the direct object pronoun la attached to the end of the verb smetti. To tell more than one person to stop crying, you use the plural imperative Smettetela di piangere.
Did you know?
- The Latin root of piangere, *plangō*, originally meant 'to strike the breast in grief', suggesting the physical movement of mourning.
- The phrase Smettila is often used on its own as a shorthand for 'stop it' or 'cut it out' regardless of whether someone is crying.
- While Smettila di piangere is a direct command, Italians may use the phrase Non fare il piagnucolone to call someone a 'crybaby'.
Examples in context
- Andrà tutto bene. Smettila di piangere.Everything's going to be all right. Stop crying.Tatoeba #5356702 by Guybrush88, translation #3924178 by Hybrid
- Smettila di piangere.Stop crying.Tatoeba #2194238 by Guybrush88, translation #2111502 by CK
- Ti prego, smetti di piangere. Sono qui per te e troveremo una soluzione insieme.Please, stop crying. I'm here for you, and we'll find a solution together.
- Smettila di piangere, non è successo nulla di grave.Stop crying, nothing serious happened.
Example conversation
Giulia is trying to comfort Lorenzo after he tripped.
- GiuliaLorenzo, stai bene?Lorenzo, are you okay?
- LorenzoMi fa solo un po' male il ginocchio.My knee just hurts a little bit.
- GiuliaSmettila di piangere, sei un ragazzo forte.Stop crying, you are a strong boy.
- LorenzoVa bene, grazie Giulia.Okay, thanks Giulia.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, piangere, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
