Italian Phrase
Stai fermo un attimo.
Meaning
Literally ‘stay still for a moment.’ It is a brief, informal request for someone to pause or hold still for a short period of time.
When to use
Use it when you need someone to stop moving briefly – for example, while giving directions, taking a photo, or asking a child to stay put while you pick something up.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Staifermounattimo
Imperative of *stare*
For the second‑person singular informal imperative, *stare* drops the final *e* and becomes *stai*.
Stare + adjective
*Stare* can be followed by an adjective to describe a temporary state, e.g., *stai fermo* = ‘stay still’.
Gender agreement
The adjective must agree with the subject’s gender: *fermo* (masc.) or *ferma* (fem.).
Time expression *un attimo*
*Un attimo* means ‘a moment’ and is used as a short, informal duration.
🗨In Conversation
Stai fermo un attimo.
Stay still for a moment.
Va bene, dimmi cosa devo fare.
Okay, tell me what I should do.
✕Common Mistakes
Stai fermo una attimo.
‘Attimo’ is masculine, so the correct article is *un*.
Stai fermi un attimo.
The adjective must stay singular; *fermi* would be plural and incorrect here.
Stai fermo per un attimo.
While understandable, the preposition *per* is unnecessary in the idiomatic short command.
↔Alternatives
Aspetta un attimo.
Wait a moment.
Fermati per un momento.
Stop for a moment.
Rimani fermo per un attimo.
Remain still for a moment.
Cultural Tip
The phrase is informal; with strangers or in a formal setting you’d add *per favore* or use a more polite form like *Rimani fermo, per favore*. Remember to match the adjective’s gender to the person you’re speaking to – *stai ferma* for a woman or girl.