State tranquilli mentre sto parlando.

Sentence Discussions Italian
#1
English Original Sentence

Be quiet while I’m speaking.

I wonder if state zitti (or tacete) wouldn’t be the most natural translation of be quiet in this context.

Or is this being polite? :thinking:

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#2

I think this is due to the translator trying to be faithful to the English sentence.

This could be used to be polite, or to placate restless pupils.

“State tranquilli” means “do not be/act excited”, “State zitti” means “do not talk”.

The latter does is not exactly the same of “be silent”.

I think “State in silenzio” is a good compromise, and it is also commonly used.

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#3

I rather like “Taci e basta” but no doubt this is for friends only😉

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