What Does Stare Per Mean?
Stare per literally translates to “to be about to” in English. It is used to indicate that someone is on the verge of doing something or that an event is just about to happen. This phrase is particularly handy when you want to express actions or situations that are imminent or moments away from occurring.
How to Form Sentences with Stare Per
The structure of stare per is straightforward:
Stare (conjugated) + per + infinitive verb
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Conjugate stare according to the subject and tense.
- Add per.
- Follow with the infinitive form of the verb that describes the action.
Examples in the Present Tense
- Sto per mangiare. – I am about to eat.
- Stiamo per uscire. – We are about to go out.
- Stai per ricevere una sorpresa. – You are about to receive a surprise.
Examples in the Past and Future Tenses
While stare per is most commonly used in the present tense, you can also find it used in the imperfect or future to indicate imminent action in the past or future:
- Stavo per chiamarti quando sei arrivato. – I was about to call you when you arrived.
- Starò per partire quando mi chiamerai. – I will be about to leave when you call me.
Why Is Stare Per Important for Italian Learners?
Using stare per allows you to express yourself more precisely and naturally, especially in everyday conversations. Italians frequently use this construction to talk about plans, intentions, and things that are just about to happen. Mastering this phrase will help you better understand native speakers and express yourself with greater nuance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t confuse stare per with essere per. The latter is not used to indicate imminent action.
- Always use the infinitive after per. For example, say sto per mangiare (not sto per mangio).
- Remember to conjugate stare appropriately for the subject and the tense you need.
Practice Makes Perfect
To get comfortable with stare per, try creating your own sentences about things you’re about to do. For example, “Sto per leggere questo articolo sul blog di Talkpal” (“I’m about to read this article on Talkpal’s blog”). The more you practice, the more naturally this construction will come to you.
Conclusion
Understanding and using stare per is a key step toward speaking Italian more fluently and naturally. By mastering this phrase, you can easily indicate imminent actions and better follow conversations with native speakers. For more tips and interactive exercises on Italian grammar, check out Talkpal’s AI language learning platform. Happy learning and buona fortuna!
