Italian Phrase
Un'app continua a bloccarsi.
Meaning
Literally, “An app keeps crashing.” It describes a situation where a software application repeatedly stops working and closes on its own. The verb is reflexive because the app is the one that experiences the crash.
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re talking about a technical problem with a mobile or desktop application, either with friends, a support desk, or in a forum. It works in informal conversation and in semi‑formal contexts like a help‑desk ticket.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Un'appcontinuaabloccarsi
Un'app (una + app)
The feminine noun "app" (short for "applicazione") takes the article "una"; in spoken Italian the vowel drops and the apostrophe is used: "Un'app".
continua (presente indicativo)
"Continua" is the third‑person singular present of "continuare" and means “keeps” or “continues to”.
a + infinitive
The preposition "a" introduces an infinitive verb to express a continuous action (e.g., "continua a fare").
bloccarsi (riflessivo)
"Bloccarsi" is the reflexive infinitive of "bloccare". In tech jargon it means “to crash” or “to freeze”. The reflexive pronoun shows the app is acting on itself.
🗨In Conversation
Un'app continua a bloccarsi, non so più cosa fare.
An app keeps crashing, I don’t know what to do anymore.
Hai provato a reinstallarla o a cancellare la cache?
Have you tried reinstalling it or clearing the cache?
✕Common Mistakes
Un'app continua di bloccarsi.
The verb "continuare" is followed by "a" + infinitive, not "di".
Un'app continua a bloccare.
Using the non‑reflexive form changes the meaning to "keeps blocking" something else, not "crashing".
Un'applicazione continua a bloccarsi.
While grammatically correct, saying "un'applicazione" sounds overly formal for everyday tech talk.
Un'app si blocca continuamente.
Missing the verb "continua" loses the nuance of a repeated problem over time.
↔Alternatives
Un'app si blocca continuamente.
An app keeps freezing.
L'app si chiude da sola.
The app closes by itself.
L'app va in crash continuamente.
The app crashes continuously.
Cultural Tip
In Italy people often say "l'app si blocca" or "l'app va in crash" when talking about software problems. "Bloccarsi" is perfectly correct but slightly more formal; in casual speech you’ll hear the non‑reflexive "blocca" used as a slang verb for "crash". Keep the tone informal when speaking with friends, but switch to the full reflexive form in a support ticket for clarity.