Which one should you use?
Unlike English, where "stop" can be followed directly by a gerund (stop speaking), French requires the preposition de between the verb arrêter and the infinitive parler.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The informal form arrête de parler français uses the tu form and is appropriate for friends, family or children. For more polite or formal variations, you can use Veuillez cesser de parler français (Please stop speaking French), Pourriez-vous s'il vous plaît arrêter de parler français? (Could you please stop speaking French?) or Je vous prie d'arrêter de parler français (I kindly request that you stop speaking French). Other informal options include adding s'il te plaît for "please" or using Hé, laisse tomber le français un moment! to say "Hey, drop the French for a moment!"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, one might say Est-ce que tu pourrais arrêter de parler français?
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to more than one person or want to use the formal vous form, you must change arrête to arrêtez (e.g., arrêtez de parler français).
Did you know?
- In France, requesting that someone 'stop speaking French' can be a satirical jab at 'Franglais', where English words are mixed into French speech.
- The verb arrêter carries a double meaning of both 'to stop' and 'to arrest'. Consequently, the command arrête de parler français could be humorously interpreted as a request to 'arrest the act of speaking French'.
- The verb parler has a surprising ancestral link to the English word 'parable'. Both words trace their roots back to the Greek word for 'comparison'.
Examples in context
- Arrête de parler français.Stop speaking French.This sentence demonstrates how to use the phrase arrête de parler français.Tatoeba #8737243 by Julien_PDC, translation #6273171 by CK
- Arrête de parler français, je ne comprends rien.Stop speaking French, I don't understand anything.
- S'il te plaît, arrête de parler français maintenant.Please, stop speaking French now.
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are studying together in a library.
- ChloéLucas, arrête de parler français s'il te plaît.Lucas, stop speaking French please.
- LucasPourquoi ? On travaille ensemble !Why? We are working together!
- ChloéJe veux pratiquer mon anglais avec toi.I want to practice my English with you.
- LucasD'accord, je vais essayer de parler anglais.Okay, I will try to speak English.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, français, parler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
