What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb arrêter (to stop) and the infinitive péter (to fart).
Which one should you use?
The form arrête de péter is used when addressing one person informally. To address more than one person or to use a formal tone with one person, change arrête to arrêtez to form arrêtez de péter.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The verb péter is considered vulgar or colloquial and is not suitable for formal settings, making arrête de péter an informal expression. For a much more polite and clinical way to express the same idea, you can use cesser de lâcher des gaz. Formal requests include Veuillez cesser de flatuler, s'il vous plaît or the more indirect Pourriez-vous arrêter de lâcher des gaz, s'il vous plaît ?
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the singular imperative form, which is used when addressing one person informally.
Did you know?
- The verb péter is used in the common idiom péter les plombs, which means to lose one's temper or have a nervous breakdown.
- In French slang, péter can also mean to break something or to boast, as in péter plus haut que son cul, meaning to act more important than one actually is.
- In very informal French slang, one might hear the word prout used as a noun to represent the sound or the act itself, often used by children or in a playful, non-aggressive way.
Examples in context
- S'il te plaît, arrête de péter.Please stop farting.This sentence is useful for expressing a polite request using the phrase arrête de péter.Tatoeba #12066425 by Rovo, translation #12066013 by Amastan
- Arrête de péter.Stop farting.This sentence is useful for a direct command using the phrase arrête de péter.Tatoeba #10509451 by pkill, translation #6575738 by Eccles17
- Arrête de péter, s'il te plaît ! C'est vraiment dégoûtant.Stop farting, please! It's really gross.
- Arrête de péter, ça sent mauvais ici !Stop farting, it smells bad in here!
Example conversation
A couple is sitting on a sofa in the living room.
- HugoOulala, Emma, arrête de péter !Oh boy, Emma, stop farting!
- EmmaC'est pas moi, Hugo, c'est toi !It's not me, Hugo, it's you!
- HugoJe te jure que c'est toi.I swear it is you.
- EmmaD'accord, je vais faire attention.Okay, I will be careful.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
