smettila
The English phrase "stop that" is translated into Italian as smettila.
smettila is a command used to tell someone to quit doing something annoying or inappropriate.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a combination of the verb smettere (to stop/quit) and the pronoun la (it/that).
Which one should you use?
While the pronoun la is feminine, smettila is used as a fixed idiomatic expression to mean "stop that" regardless of the gender of the action being stopped.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
smettila is an informal command used with friends, family or children. For a formal way to say "please stop," you can use Si prega di smettere. Additionally, Basta! is a way to say "stop" informally.
Did you know?
- While smettila is the standard command, Italians often accompany the word with a sharp flick of the wrist or a hand gesture to emphasize their irritation.
- Adding per favore to smettila can sound sarcastic or passive-aggressive rather than polite because the command itself is inherently forceful.
- In intense arguments, smettila can be replaced by ma smettila, where the ma does not mean 'but' but acts as an emotional intensifier like 'oh, just stop it'.
Examples in context
- Si prega di smettere di fare rumore.Please stop making noise.
- Fermati, sei troppo rumoroso!Stop it, you're too loud!
- Basta, non mi piace quello che stai facendo.Stop, I don't like what you're doing.
- Smettila di rompere le scatole!Cut it out, stop bothering me!
- Smettila, mi dai fastidio!Stop that, you're annoying me!
- Smettila di fare quel rumore.Stop making that noise.
- Smettila subito, non è divertente.Stop that immediately, it's not funny.
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are at home while Francesco is teasing her.
- ChiaraFrancesco, smettila!Francesco, stop that!
- FrancescoMa cosa ho fatto?But what did I do?
- ChiaraSmettila di scherzare con me.Stop joking around with me.
- FrancescoVa bene, scusa.Okay, sorry.
