10 WAYS TO USE THE ITALIAN VERB “STARE” (PRESENT)

In today’s lesson I’ll teach you one of the most important verbs in Italian which is the verb “stare“.

You’ll learn how to conjugate it at the present tense and most importantly how to use it in daily conversations!

“Stare” is one of the most common Italian verbs so the sooner you learn it the better! 

THE VERB “STARE” IN ITALIAN

The verb “stare” belongs to the group of irregular verbs in Italian like ESSERE (to be), AVERE (to have) and FARE (to do). 

If you don’t know these verbs yet, watch the videos below to learn how to use them in the present tense. 

If you are here only for the verb “stare” then keep reading!

PRESENT OF “STARE”

Here you are the conjugation of the verb “stare” in the present tense.

• Io STO
• Tu STAI
• Lui/Lei STA
• Noi STIAMO
• Voi STATE
• Loro STANNO

As you can see, it’s not difficult at all but maybe a bit boring to learn …

So keep reading to see how to use the verb “stare” with practical examples. 

10 WAYS TO USE “STARE” (in the Present)

Below you can find 10 real situations where you can use the verb “stare” in your Italian conversations.

Remember that this is one of the most common verb in Italian so it’s definitely worth it to know it! 

1. “COME STAI?” 

The first way to use the verb “stare” is probably the most common and it’s in reply to the question “come stai?” (how are you?). 
If you answer “sto bene” means that you’re fine but if you say “sto male” then you’re not feeling good for some reason.

Check also 3 popular ways to ask “how are you?” in Italian and how to reply.

2. TO BE IN A PLACE  

The next way to use the verb “stare” is also very popular and it’s to say that you’re staying in a place.

Look at the examples below:

• Io sto a casa = I’m at home
• Tu stai in palestra = You’re in the gym 

3. TO BE WITH SOMEONE  

You can also use “stare” to tell if you’re alone or with someone at the moment. So for instance:

• Io sto con il mio cane = I’m with my dog
• Lui sta da solo = he’s alone 
  

4. TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP  

“Stare” also means that you’re in a relationship with someone.

• Loro stanno insieme = they’re together
• Lei sta con il mio amico = she’s in a relationship with my friend
  

5. I’M IN!   

Fifth way to use “stare” is with the meaning of “I’m in!”.

So it’s to say that you agree with a plan or idea and they can count you in.

In Italian you tell: “ci sto!”.

6. IT’S UP TO YOU   

The next way to use “stare” is another popular expression: “sta a te”.

It means: “it’s up to you”.

So you say it when you want someone else to make a decision.

7. FIT/DOESN’T FIT   

Number seven is to talk about clothes for saying if they’re fitting or not.
So for instance:

• La maglia mi sta = the t-shirt is my size
• La maglia non mi sta = the t-shirt doesn’t fit me as it’s too small

8. FIT WELL/BAD   

If you add the words “bene”/”male” then you can use “stare” to say if something fits you well or not.

So for example:

• Quel vestito ti sta bene = that dress looks nice on you
• Quel vestito ti sta male = that dress doesn’t look good on you. 

9. CONTINUOUS ACTION    

“Stare” can be used together with other verbs to indicate a continuous action if that verb is in a specific verb tense called “gerundio”.

Let’s look at some examples:

• Sto mangiando = I’m eating
• Sto parlando = I’m talking

They’re both actions that are happening in the present at the moment you’re speaking but they are continuous. So they’re different from the simple present. 

10. TO BE ABOUT TO    

The final way of using “stare” is still in conjunction with another verb.

But this time the verb is in the infinitive form and it’s used with the meaning of being about to do something.

So for instance:

• Sto per mangiare = I’m about to eat
• Sto per andare = I’m leaving soon 

Note that you need the preposition PER after the verb “stare” to give the meaning of to be about to do something.