Italian Phrase
Le porte si stanno chiudendo.
Meaning
The sentence means 'The doors are closing.' It describes an action that is happening right now, often used to warn people that a passage will soon be unavailable.
When to use
Use this phrase in public places such as train stations, elevators, or classrooms when you need to alert listeners that doors are in the process of shutting. It can also be used narratively to describe a scene.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Leportesistannochiudendo
Le (definite article)
Plural feminine article used before nouns that are known to the listener.
porte (noun)
Feminine plural noun meaning 'doors'.
si (reflexive pronoun)
Indicates that the action is performed on the subject itself; here it creates a passive-like meaning.
stanno (stare)
Present indicative of 'stare' used to form the progressive tense.
chiudendo (gerundio)
Gerund of 'chiudere' (to close); combined with 'stare' it expresses an ongoing action.
🗨In Conversation
Le porte si stanno chiudendo, per favore uscite subito.
The doors are closing, please exit immediately.
Grazie, andiamo!
Thanks, let's go!
✕Common Mistakes
Le porte si sono chiudendo.
Use 'stanno' with 'stare' for the progressive; 'Le porte si sono chiudendo' is ungrammatical.
Le porte si chiudono.
Without 'stanno' the sentence loses the sense of an ongoing action; 'Le porte si chiudono' means a habitual action.
Le porte si stanno chiudere.
The infinitive 'chiudere' cannot follow 'stanno' in the progressive; you need the gerund 'chiudendo'.
↔Alternatives
Le porte stanno per chiudersi.
The doors are about to close.
Le porte si chiudono.
The doors close.
Le porte si stanno chiudendo ora.
The doors are closing now.
Cultural Tip
In many Italian public buildings, automatic doors close quickly for energy efficiency. Announcements like 'Le porte si stanno chiudendo' are common in train stations, elevators, and museums. Keep a respectful distance from closing doors, as pushing them can be considered rude.