Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| cesser | /sɛ.se/ /se.se/ |
| s'arrêter | |
| arrêter | /a.ʁɛ.te/ (Europe) /a.ʁe.te/ (Europe) /a.ʁɛː.te/ (Quebec) |
In French, the word you choose depends on whether you are stopping yourself, stopping something else or speaking in a formal or literary way. The verb arrêter is used when you stop an external object, action or person. The verb cesser is used to describe the cessation of an abstract state or activity. The reflexive form s'arrêter is used when the subject is the one performing the action of stopping, such as stopping one's own movement.
Which one should you use?
s'arrêter is the reflexive form used when the subject is the one performing the action of stopping (for example, 'I stopped walking'), whereas arrêter is the transitive form used when you are stopping an external object, action or person (for example, 'stop the car'). cesser is a more formal and literary option than arrêter and is often used for abstract states or activities.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/a.ʁɛ.te/
Did you know?
- In France, the phrase Arrête ! is often used as a slang way to say 'Stop lying' or 'You are joking'. It functions similarly to the English 'Give it a rest'.
- The French verb arrêter is a direct relative of the English word 'arrest'. Both come from the Latin 'restō' meaning to stay back or remain behind.
- If you see a 'Stop' sign in a French-speaking country, it will actually say STOP rather than using a French word, because the English term is globally recognized for traffic.
Examples in context
- Il me faut cesser.I have to stop.This sentence is useful for expressing the necessity of stopping using cesser.Tatoeba #2443542 by sacredceltic, translation #2280305 by CK
- On doit arrêter ça.We've got to stop this.This sentence is useful for expressing the necessity of stopping using arrêter.Tatoeba #6375582 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #6375330 by OsoHombre
- Il me fallut cesser.I had to stop.This sentence is useful for expressing a past necessity of stopping using cesser.Tatoeba #1892129 by sacredceltic, translation #1890722 by Spamster
- Jean, arrêtez de courir tout de suite!Jean, stop running right now!
- Veuillez cesser de parler pendant la réunion.Please stop talking during the meeting.
- Stoppez cette voiture immédiatement!Stop this car immediately!
- Arrête de manger mes frites, s'il te plaît!Stop eating my fries, please!
- Arrêtez la voiture!Stop the car!
- Arrêtez de parler!Stop talking!
- Arrête de me déranger!Stop bothering me!
- Arrête-toi là!Stop right there!
- Arrête de faire du bruit, s'il te plaît!Please stop making noise!
- 519 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Manon are walking in a park when they see a construction sign.
- LucasIl faut arrêter le travail ici.The work must stop here.
- ManonPourquoi faut-il arrêter ?Why must they stop?
- LucasIls vont arrêter pour la pause.They are going to stop for a break.
- ManonD'accord, on peut continuer à marcher.Okay, we can continue walking.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stop” translations and entries cesser, arrêter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arrêter, cesser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
