How to Say ‘Keep quiet and good’ in Italian
Stare zitti e buoni
STAH-ray ZEET-tee eh BWOH-nee
[STAH-ray ZEET-tee eh BWOH-nee]
💬 Usage Tip: The phrase 'stare zitti' literally means 'keep quiet'—a command often used.
🇮🇹 In Italy: It reflects societal expectations in Italy's tradition-bound culture to value order.
Phrase Breakdown
Stare
[STAH-ray]
To stay
Remain in the same place.
Devi stare a casa oggi.
You must stay at home today.
zitti
[ZEET-tee]
silent
Not making or accompanied by any sound.
Dovresti rimanere zitti in biblioteca.
You should stay silent in the library.
e
[eh]
and
Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences.
Silenzio e calma sono importanti.
Silence and calm are important.
buoni
[BWOH-nee]
good
To behave or show positive manners.
I bambini devono essere buoni.
The children must be good.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Spent the summer in Tuscany researching Italian cuisine. Being able to chat with nonnas at the market about recipes? Absolutely priceless.”
Grace P., 34, Food Writer
“Working on a project in Milan and needed professional Italian fast. The business scenarios gave me the confidence to present to clients within a month.”
Daniel F., 45, Architect
“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”
Alex M., 42, Software Engineer