Italian Phrase
Non interrompere chi ti sta intervistando.
Meaning
Literally, 'Do not interrupt the person who is interviewing you.' It is a firm but polite way to tell someone to let the interview proceed without interruptions.
When to use
Use this sentence in professional or academic settings when you want to remind a colleague, a friend, or a student to stay quiet while an interview or a formal questioning is taking place.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Noninterromperechitistaintervistando
Negation with 'Non'
'Non' precedes the verb to make a negative command or statement.
Infinitive as Imperative
In Italian, the infinitive can be used to give a polite or formal command, especially in written instructions.
Relative Pronoun 'chi'
'Chi' means 'who' and introduces a relative clause referring to a person.
Clitic Pronoun 'ti'
'Ti' is the second‑person singular indirect object pronoun, meaning 'to you' or 'you' in this context.
Progressive Form 'sta + gerundio'
The construction 'sta + gerundio' (e.g., 'sta intervistando') expresses an ongoing action, similar to 'is interviewing'.
Gerundio 'intervistando'
The gerund of 'intervistare' (to interview) is 'intervistando', used after 'sta' to form the present progressive.
🗨In Conversation
Scusa, posso chiederti qualcosa ora?
Sorry, can I ask you something now?
Non interrompere chi ti sta intervistando.
Don't interrupt the person who is interviewing you.
✕Common Mistakes
Interrompi chi ti sta intervistando.
Using the imperative 'interrompi' sounds too direct; the infinitive form is preferred for polite instructions.
Non interrompere che ti sta intervistando.
The relative pronoun for people is 'chi', not 'che' in this construction.
Non interrompere chi ti sta intervista.
You need the gerund 'intervistando' after 'sta' to express the ongoing action.
↔Alternatives
Non disturbare chi ti sta facendo l'intervista.
Don't disturb the person who is conducting your interview.
Lascia parlare chi ti sta intervistando.
Let the person interviewing you speak.
Non interrompere l'intervistatore.
Don't interrupt the interviewer.
Cultural Tip
In Italian professional environments, interruptions are often seen as disrespectful, especially during formal interviews or meetings. Using the infinitive for commands (e.g., 'Non interrompere') sounds more formal and less confrontational than the imperative 'Non interrompere!'.