Italian Phrase
Le nuvole restano.
Meaning
Literally “The clouds stay.” It is used to say that the clouds are still present in the sky, often implying that the weather isn’t clearing up.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to comment on persistent clouds, either in a literal weather report or in a poetic/metaphorical way (e.g., “the doubts remain”).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Lenuvolerestano
Definite article (Le)
Le is the feminine plural definite article, used before feminine plural nouns like nuvole.
Noun (nuvole)
Nuvole is a feminine plural noun meaning “clouds”. It follows the article Le.
Verb (restano)
Restano is the third‑person plural present indicative of restare (“to stay, to remain”). It must agree with the plural subject.
🗨In Conversation
Le nuvole restano, quindi non possiamo andare al mare oggi.
The clouds stay, so we can’t go to the beach today.
Peccato, speriamo che si spostino più tardi.
What a shame, let’s hope they move later.
✕Common Mistakes
Le nuvole resta.
Resta is singular; it must match the plural subject nuvole.
I nuvole restano.
The article i is masculine; nuvole is feminine, so the correct article is le.
Le nuvole restare.
Do not use the infinitive restare after the subject; you need the conjugated form restano.
↔Alternatives
Le nuvole rimangono.
The clouds remain.
Le nuvole non si diradano.
The clouds don’t thin out.
Le nuvole sono ancora qui.
The clouds are still here.
Cultural Tip
In Italian everyday conversation, people often talk about the weather using simple present forms. Restare is slightly more literary than rimanere, so you’ll hear it in poems, song lyrics, or when you want a more evocative tone. Also, remember that the article le is never used with masculine nouns – a common slip for beginners.