Arrête
In French, the phrase "stop it" is expressed as Arrête.
Arrête can be used as an interjection to tell someone to stop a behavior, such as teasing or joking, rather than just stopping a physical movement. For a more idiomatic, informal way to say "let it go" or "drop it," you can use Laisse tomber.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form changes from Arrête to Arrêtez when addressing more than one person or when using the formal vous form. Additionally, the infinitive form arrêter is used after other verbs, such as Il faut arrêter (It is necessary to stop).
Did you know?
- In French, arrête can be used to mean 'no way' or 'you're kidding' when you are surprised by news, rather than as a command to stop a behavior.
- The verb arrêter can also mean 'to settle' or 'to decide' a matter, such as arrêter un prix for a price. This shows how 'stopping' a negotiation leads to a final, fixed result.
- While arrête is common, French speakers often use stop as a loanword from English, especially in casual settings or when gesturing with a hand.
Examples in context
- Arrête. Tu es ridicule.Stop it. You're being ridiculous.This example shows how to use Arrête to tell someone they are being ridiculous.Tatoeba #11255926 by lbdx, translation #30204 by CM
- Je t'ai demandé d'arrêter.I asked you to stop it.This example uses Arrête to show a request for someone to stop.Tatoeba #10615257 by Aiji, translation #5882416 by Catriona
- Arrête ! Tu me fais rougir.Stop it. You're making me blush.This example uses Arrête to tell someone to stop a behavior that is making you blush.Tatoeba #1763130 by sacredceltic, translation #1943884 by Spamster
- Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous arrêter cela s'il vous plaît?Excuse me, could you please stop that?
- Hé, arrête ça tout de suite!Hey, stop it right away!
- Je vous prie de cesser immédiatement ces agissements.I kindly ask you to stop these actions immediately.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are playing around in the living room.
- GabrielArrête, Chloé, tu me chatouilles trop !Stop it, Chloé, you are tickling me too much!
- ChloéD'accord, je m'arrête.Okay, I'll stop.
- GabrielMerci, c'était presque trop.Thank you, it was almost too much.
- ChloéTu es trop sensible, Gabriel.You are too sensitive, Gabriel.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
