The Italian Verb Files
STARE
Learn how to conjugate STARE in this Italian Verb Files post!
STARE can have many meanings, but the most common are “to stay” and “to be” in English.
Let’s take a look at how to conjugate STARE and some of the expressions that use it!
Italian Verb Conjugation Table - "STARE"
Click to download for FREE! — Italian Verb Conjugation STARE – The Italian Verb Files
This Italian Verb Conjugation Chart with STARE shows you the most common verb tenses (3 more subjunctive verb tenses not on here).
I like to use it as a reference sheet and I give it to my students too!
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Includes common regular and irregular verbs!
Common Uses of "Stare"
- Lasciare stare = to let it go / leave it alone
- Lascia stare – non è importante. = Let it go – it’s not important.
"Stare per" + Infinito
- One common use of “stare” in Italian, is in combination with the preposition “per” + an infinitive verb (the unchanged, dictionary base form of the verb). This makes the formula: Stare per + Infinitive (l’infinito). **You do not conjugate the verb that comes after “per”.
This is used to say that something is about to happen.
Esempi:
- Sto per tornare a casa. = I’m about to go home.
- Stiamo per finire la colazione. = We are about to finish breakfast.
- Sta per raccontarci cos’è successo. = She is about to tell us what happened.
"Stare" + Gerundio
- When you use the verb “stare” in the present tense (presente indicativo) followed by the gerundio, it means an action in progress.
Esempi (presente):
- Aspetta, sta parlando con il professore. = Wait, he’s talking to the professor.
- Stiamo guardando un film al cinema. = We’re watching a movie at the movie theatre.
- Ti chiamo dopo – sto mangiando! = I’ll call you later – I’m eating!
When you use the verb “stare” in the imperfetto followed by the gerundio, it means an action that WAS in progress in the past.
Esempi (passato):
- Mi dispiace, stavo pensando a qualcos’altro. = I’m sorry, I was thinking about something else.
- Hanno sentito l’esplosione mentre stavano parlando. = They heard the explosion while they were talking.
Italian Expressions with "Stare"
- stare attento/a/i/e = to be careful (often in the imperative)
- Sta’ / Stai attento! — Be careful!
- stare zitto/a/i/e = to be quiet / shut up (often in the imperative)
- Sta’ / Stai zitto! — Be quiet! / Shut up!
- stare in piedi = to be standing
- Sto in piedi da una vita! — I have been standing forever!
- stare con le mani in mano = to be idle / doing nothing
- Si, possono aiutarti! Stanno con le mani in mano!– Yes, they can help you! They aren’t doing anything!
- *Can also be “starsene con le mani in mano” which emphasizes the laziness factor of the action and shows irritation.
- stare al fresco = to be in prison / to be outside in a fresh location
- Giorgio? Sta al fresco da due mesi. = Giorgio? He’s been in jail for two months.
- stare alle costole = to follow someone closely / be breathing down someone’s neck / be on someone’s tail
- L’insegnante mi è stata alle costole tutta la settimana per quel progetto! = The teacher has been breathing down my neck all week for that project!
- stare sulle spine = to be on pins and needles / to be nervous or anxious
- Sto ancora aspettando la risposta… sto sulle spine! = I’m still waiting for the answer… I’m so anxious!
- stare ai patti = to keep one’s word / honour one’s promise
- Hai promesso di venire con me! Devi stare ai patti! = You promised to come with me! You have to keep your word!
- Lasciare stare = to let it go / leave it alone
- Lascia stare – non è importante. = Let it go – it’s not important.
- stare allo scherzo = to play along / be able to take a joke
- Si, puoi dirlo a Dario. Sta allo scherzo. = Yes, you can say that to Dario. He can take a joke.
- stare sulle sue = to be reserved / keep to oneself
- Luca non parla molto con altre persone. Sta sempre sulle sue! = Luca doesn’t talk much with other people. He always keeps to himself!
Italian Grammar Worksheets
Looking for more Italian grammar practice with irregular verbs?
Check out these Italian worksheets in the present tense that focus on 10 irregular and stem change verbs!
Full answer key provided. Preview available on TPT.
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