What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative form of the verb arrêter (to stop) and the adverb maintenant (now).
Which one should you use?
While arrête maintenant emphasizes immediacy, the single word arrête is often sufficient to command someone to stop an action in a casual setting. For more forceful and formal commands, you may also use arrêtez tout de suite to mean "stop immediately".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To show respect or to address a group, you should use the formal version Arrêtez maintenant. If you wish to be even more polite and formal, you can say Je vous prie d'arrêter maintenant (I kindly ask you to stop now) or Veuillez cesser immédiatement (please stop immediately).
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to more than one person or using the formal vous to show respect, you must use the form arrêtez maintenant instead of arrête maintenant.
Did you know?
- While arrête is a direct command, the verb arrêter is also the specific term used when the police place a suspect in custody.
- On a film or theater set, a director will shout Coupez! rather than Arrêtez! to command the actors to stop a scene.
- The word maintenant can function as a conjunction meaning 'since' or 'given that' rather than just referring to the current time.
Examples in context
- Pierre, arrêtez maintenant votre comportement inapproprié.Pierre, stop your inappropriate behavior now.
- Veuillez cesser immédiatement de fumer dans cette zone.Please stop smoking in this area immediately.
- Je vous prie d'arrêter maintenant vos activités illégales.I kindly ask you to stop your illegal activities now.
- Lucie, arrête maintenant de faire du bruit.Lucie, stop making noise now.
- Arrête maintenant, je ne veux plus entendre ça !Stop now, I don't want to hear that anymore!
Example conversation
Lucas is teasing Lea while she tries to work.
- LucasRegarde, je vole ton stylo !Look, I'm stealing your pen!
- LéaLucas, arrête maintenant !Lucas, stop now!
- LucasAllez, je plaisante seulement.Come on, I'm only joking.
- LéaJe dois finir ce travail.I have to finish this work.
