Italian Phrase
Resta sulle strade principali.
Meaning
A direct instruction meaning “Stay on the main roads.” It is often used when giving travel advice, emphasizing safety or simplicity of navigation.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to tell someone (informally) to avoid side streets, alleys, or shortcuts—e.g., when guiding a tourist, giving directions to a driver, or reminding a child to stay on well‑known routes.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Restasullestradeprincipali
Imperative of 'restare'
Resta is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb restare, used to give a direct command or advice.
Preposition + article (sulle)
sulle = su (on) + le (the, feminine plural). In Italian the preposition and article contract.
Noun agreement
strade is a feminine plural noun; any adjective that modifies it must also be feminine plural.
Adjective placement
principali is the plural form of principale and follows the noun it describes, as is typical in Italian.
🗨In Conversation
Devo attraversare la città, dove dovrei andare?
I need to cross the city, where should I go?
Resta sulle strade principali.
Stay on the main roads.
✕Common Mistakes
Resta su le strade principali.
The preposition and article must contract to "sulle".
Resta sulle strade principali, signora.
Resta is informal; for formal situations use "Rimani" or "Rimanga".
↔Alternatives
Mantieniti sulle vie principali.
Keep yourself on the main routes.
Segui le strade principali.
Follow the main streets.
Rimani sulle strade principali.
Remain on the main roads.
Cultural Tip
In Italy, "strade principali" or "vie principali" are the arteries of a city, often well‑signposted and patrolled. The imperative Resta is informal; in a formal context (e.g., speaking to an older person or a stranger) you would use Rimanga or Resti. Also note that in some regions people say "via" instead of "strada" (e.g., "Resta sulle vie principali").