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How to Say ‘Why are you stopping here?’ in Italian

Perché si ferma qui?

pehr-keh see FEHR-mah kwee

[pehr-keh see FEHR-mah kwee]

💬 Usage Tip: si ferma is the polite 'you' form of fermarsi "to stop", the same form used for 'he' or 'she'. With a friend you'd say Perché ti fermi qui?.

Phrase Breakdown

Perché

[pehr-keh]

why

Used to ask for reasons or explanation.

Example

Perché il costo è così alto?

Why is the cost so high?

si ferma qui?

see FEHR-mah kwee

are you stopping here?

'Fermarsi' means 'to stop', and 'si ferma' is the formal 'you stop'. Let your voice rise on 'qui'.

Example

L'autobus si ferma qui?

Does the bus stop here?

Words in this phrase

[see]

reflexive

Referring back to the subject.

Example

Mai ci si arrende.

One never gives up on themselves.

ferma

[FEHR-mah]

stops

From 'fermarsi', to stop; here the formal 'you stop'.

Example

L'autobus si ferma in piazza.

The bus stops in the square.

qui

[kwee]

here

Indicates this place; useful when talking about the current company or environment.

Example

"Qui" l'ambiente sembra molto collaborativo.

"Here" the environment seems very collaborative.

Guides for Italian learners

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