smettila di parlare
To say "stop talking" in Italian, use smettila di parlare.
Smettila di parlare is a command used to tell someone to be quiet or to end their current speech. Depending on the context, other phrases might be more appropriate: Basta parlare is a straightforward way to say stop talking among friends or in informal situations, while Smettila di ciarlare means "stop babbling" and carries a slightly playful tone. If you want to be assertive and tell someone to "be quiet for a moment" informally, you can use Taci un attimo.
What does it mean word for word?
In smettila di parlare, the la is an enclitic pronoun attached to the imperative form of the verb. It refers to the ongoing action or the situation.
Which one should you use?
While smettila di parlare includes the pronoun la to refer to the specific act or situation, Smetti di parlare is a more direct command to the person to cease the action of speaking.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To maintain politeness while issuing the command to someone you are addressing formally (using the 'Lei' form), use Smetta di parlare.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group of people to tell them to stop talking, the verb changes to the plural Smettetela di parlare, where the pronoun la still refers to the situation.
Did you know?
- Italian has the word chiacchierare for 'chatting', a term that mimics the repetitive sound of talking and is often used when someone is told to stop 'babbling'.
- The verb parlare has a surprising historical connection to the English word 'parable', as both stem from the concept of a spoken story or discourse.
- While smettila di parlare is a command, Italians often use the gesture of placing a finger over the lips to soften the blow or signal silence without speaking at all.
Examples in context
- Smettila di parlare così.Stop talking like that.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use smettila di parlare when someone is speaking in a specific manner.Tatoeba #5874583 by Guybrush88, translation #3181216 by CK
- Smettila di parlare forte.Stop talking loudly.This sentence shows how to use smettila di parlare when someone is speaking too loudly.Tatoeba #2992367 by Guybrush88, translation #275781 by Dejo
- Smettila di parlare di me.Stop talking about me.This sentence demonstrates using smettila di parlare to tell someone to stop talking about you.Tatoeba #5743943 by Guybrush88, translation #3920686 by CH
- Per favore, smettila di parlare. Questo argomento non è appropriato per questa situazione.Please, stop talking. This topic is not appropriate for this situation.
- Okay, basta parlare. Andiamo a fare qualcosa di divertente.Okay, stop talking. Let's go do something fun.
- Hey, smettila di ciarlare, stiamo cercando di concentrarci qui.Hey, stop babbling, we're trying to concentrate here.
- Taci un attimo, voglio sentire cosa dice Marco.Be quiet for a moment, I want to hear what Marco is saying.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a quiet library, a student is trying to study.
- ChiaraSmettila di parlare, per favore.Stop talking, please.
- FrancescoScusa, non volevo disturbare.Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you.
- ChiaraGrazie, devo concentrarmi.Thank you, I need to concentrate.
- FrancescoVa bene, resterò in silenzio.Alright, I will stay silent.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries di, parlare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
