The uses of the verb stare in Italian

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The uses of the verb stare

The verb stare (to be, to stay, to remain) has several different uses, such as:

  • To indicate that you are staying somewhere, with the same meaning as the verbs rimanere (to remain) or restare (to stay, to remain)

– Cosa fai questa sera? – Sto a casa.

-What are you doing this evening? -I'm staying home.

Sto in ufficio fino alle 22 per finire il progetto.

I'm staying at the office until 10 p.m. to finish the project.

  • To give orders regarding behavior

Stai zitto!

Be quiet!

State ferme!

Stay still!

  • To express a temporary physical or psychological state, with the same meaning as sentirsi (to feel). In this case, it needs to be followed by an adverb like bene (well), male (unwell, poorly), splendidamente (extremely well), etc.

– Come stai? – Sto bene.

-How are you? -I'm well.

Sto malissimo oggi, credo di avere la febbre.

I'm very unwell today. I think I have a fever.

  • To introduce an action that is about to take place in the very near future, using the structure stare stare, presente + per + another verb in the infinitive

Sto per uscire di casa.

I'm just about to leave the house.

Stavo per cadere nel lago.

I was about to fall in the lake.

  • To describe an action that is taking place right at the moment of speaking, using the appropriate conjugation of stare stare, presente + the gerundio (“-ing” form equivalent)

Sto andando al supermercato.

I'm going to the supermarket.

Mentre tu fai la doccia, io sto preparando la cena.

I'm making dinner while you have a shower.

Note: if we are describing a physical characteristic or a temporary psychological state using an adjective, like alto (tall), bello (handsome), contento (happy, content), etc., we need to use the verb essere (to be), not stare (to be, to remain).  

Io sono felice e tu sei soddisfatta.

I am happy and you are satisfied.


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