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A1 verb #700 am häufigsten 13 Min. Lesezeit

Arrêter

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At the A1 level, 'arrêter' is one of the first verbs you will learn to express the idea of stopping. It is a regular -er verb, which makes it easy to conjugate in the present tense (j'arrête, tu arrêtes, il arrête, nous arrêtons, vous arrêtez, ils arrêtent). You will primarily use it in two ways. First, as a simple command to stop an action: 'Arrête !' (Stop!). Second, to talk about stopping a physical movement or a simple activity using the 'arrêter de' + infinitive structure. For example, 'J'arrête de manger' (I stop eating). At this stage, you should focus on remembering the 'de' after the verb when another action follows. You will also see it on signs, like 'Arrêt' (Stop) at a bus station. It is a very direct and useful word for basic daily interactions. You might also learn the reflexive form 's'arrêter' in the context of travel, such as 'Le bus s'arrête ici' (The bus stops here). The key for A1 learners is to distinguish between stopping something else and stopping yourself. Don't worry too much about the complex legal or formal meanings yet; focus on the physical and immediate uses. Practice saying 'Arrête !' to a friend or 'J'arrête le travail' at the end of the day. This verb is essential for setting boundaries and describing your daily routine. Remember that in the imperative (commands), the 's' is dropped for the 'tu' form: 'Arrête !' not 'Arrêtes !'. This is a common rule for all -er verbs. By mastering 'arrêter' at this level, you gain a powerful tool for controlling your environment and describing simple transitions in your day. It is a versatile verb that will appear in almost every conversation you have as a beginner.

At the A2 level, your use of 'arrêter' becomes more sophisticated as you begin to talk about habits, past events, and more complex social situations. You will frequently use 'arrêter de' to talk about lifestyle changes, such as 'Il a arrêté de fumer' (He stopped smoking) or 'Elle a arrêté de faire du sport' (She stopped exercising). This requires you to master the passé composé, where 'arrêter' takes 'avoir' as its auxiliary: 'J'ai arrêté.' You will also use the reflexive form 's'arrêter' more often to describe your movements in a city or during a trip: 'Nous nous sommes arrêtés devant le musée' (We stopped in front of the museum). Remember that reflexive verbs use 'être' in the passé composé and require agreement with the subject. At A2, you also start to recognize 'arrêter' in more public contexts, such as traffic rules or public transport announcements. You might hear 'Arrêt facultatif' (Optional stop) on a bus. You are also introduced to common expressions like 'Arrête de faire du bruit' (Stop making noise). The nuance between 'arrêter' (to stop something) and 'finir' (to finish something) becomes more important here. You should understand that 'arrêter' can mean an interruption, while 'finir' means the task is complete. For example, if you stop a movie halfway through, you 'arrêtez le film,' but if you watch it until the end, you 'finissez le film.' This level is about refining your grammatical accuracy, especially with the preposition 'de' and the reflexive pronouns. You will also start to see the word 'arrêt' (the noun) used in more contexts, like 'un arrêt maladie' (sick leave). Mastering 'arrêter' at A2 allows you to describe your past habits and your physical movements with much greater clarity and detail.

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At the B1 level, you move beyond the basic physical meanings of 'arrêter' and start using it in more abstract and professional contexts. You will learn that 'arrêter' can mean 'to arrest' in a legal sense, which is common in news reports or crime dramas: 'La police a arrêté le voleur.' You will also encounter the verb in the sense of 'to decide' or 'to finalize' something, particularly in administrative or business French. For instance, 'Nous devons arrêter une date pour la réunion' (We need to fix a date for the meeting). This can be counter-intuitive for English speakers, as it implies starting or setting something rather than ending it. At B1, you should also be comfortable using 'arrêter' in different tenses, including the imparfait for past habits ('J'arrêtais toujours à la boulangerie') and the futur simple for future plans ('Je m'arrêterai chez toi demain'). You will also start using more idiomatic expressions, such as 'Arrête ton cinéma !' (Stop acting/Stop making a scene!). Your understanding of the reflexive 's'arrêter' will expand to include abstract stops, like 'Le temps semble s'arrêter' (Time seems to stop). You will also learn to use 'arrêter' with more complex objects, like 'arrêter le massacre' (to stop the slaughter/mess) or 'arrêter les frais' (to cut one's losses). This level requires a deeper understanding of the register; you'll know when to use 'arrêter' versus the more formal 'cesser.' For example, in a formal letter, you might write 'Veuillez cesser tout harcèlement,' whereas in person you'd say 'Arrêtez de m'embêter.' B1 is where 'arrêter' becomes a truly versatile tool in your vocabulary, allowing you to discuss law, business, and social nuances with confidence.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'arrêter' with precision and to understand its more subtle connotations in literature and formal discourse. You will explore the use of 'arrêter' in the sense of 'to block' or 'to obstruct,' such as 'arrêter les rayons du soleil' (to block the sun's rays) or 'arrêter une hémorragie' (to stop a hemorrhage). The verb is also used in the context of 'fixing' a gaze or attention: 'arrêter son regard sur quelque chose' (to fix one's gaze on something). This level involves a high degree of grammatical control, especially when using 'arrêter' in complex sentence structures with the subjunctive or conditional moods. For example, 'Il est important que nous arrêtions ce projet avant qu'il ne soit trop tard' (It is important that we stop this project before it is too late). You will also delve into more sophisticated idioms and metaphors. 'Un parti arrêté' refers to a firm decision or a fixed opinion, and 'avoir les traits arrêtés' describes someone with well-defined facial features. You will also distinguish between 'arrêter' and its more technical synonyms like 'interpeller' (to take in for questioning) or 'appréhender' (to apprehend). In your writing, you will use 'arrêter' to create specific effects, choosing it over 'finir' or 'cesser' to emphasize the abruptness or the decisiveness of an action. You will also be able to discuss the etymology of the word, noting its roots in the Latin 'arrestare' (to stay, to stop), which helps explain its dual meaning of 'to stop' and 'to stay/fix.' At B2, 'arrêter' is no longer just a simple verb; it is a nuanced instrument that you use to convey authority, finality, and detailed observation.

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At the C1 level, your mastery of 'arrêter' involves recognizing its use in highly specialized fields and literary works. You will encounter 'arrêter' in legal texts where it refers to a formal judgment or decree: 'Le tribunal a arrêté que...' (The court decreed that...). This usage is strictly formal and carries significant weight. You will also see it in classical literature, where it can mean 'to stay' or 'to linger' in a more poetic sense. Your understanding of the reflexive 's'arrêter' will extend to philosophical discussions about the nature of movement and time. For example, you might analyze a text where a character 's'arrête sur une idée' (dwells on an idea), implying a deep mental focus. You will also be able to use the verb in its passive form or in complex participial phrases: 'Une fois le suspect arrêté, l'enquête a pu progresser' (Once the suspect was arrested, the investigation could progress). At C1, you are also expected to master the subtle differences between 'arrêter' and its synonyms in terms of register and tone. You would know that 'cesser' might be preferred in a philosophical treatise, while 'arrêter' is more impactful in a political speech. You will also be familiar with rare or archaic uses of the word that might appear in older texts. Your ability to use 'arrêter' idiomatically will be near-native, allowing you to use phrases like 'arrêter le cours des choses' (to stop the course of events) or 'un destin arrêté' (a fixed destiny) with ease. This level is about the fine-tuning of your linguistic intuition, allowing you to perceive the weight and the history behind the word every time it is used. You will understand how 'arrêter' functions not just as a verb, but as a concept of finality and decision that shapes the French worldview.

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At the C2 level, you possess a total and instinctive command of 'arrêter' in all its forms, from the most vulgar slang to the most elevated legal and literary prose. You can use the verb to express the finest shades of meaning, such as the difference between 'arrêter un moteur' (to stop an engine) and 'couper un moteur' (to cut an engine), or 'arrêter un criminel' and 'neutraliser un criminel.' You are capable of using 'arrêter' in complex rhetorical structures, such as chiasmus or litotes, to achieve specific stylistic goals. In professional contexts, you can draft legal or administrative documents that use 'arrêter' with absolute precision to define terms, dates, and decisions. You also understand the historical evolution of the word and how its meanings have shifted over centuries, from the physical act of staying to the modern legal concept of arrest. You can engage in deep analysis of literary texts, discussing how an author uses 'arrêter' to symbolize death, choice, or the freezing of a moment in time. Your use of idioms is flawless, and you can even create your own metaphors using the verb. You are also aware of the regional variations in the use of 'arrêter' across the Francophone world. At this level, the word is a part of your linguistic DNA; you don't think about the 'de' or the reflexive pronoun anymore—they flow naturally. You can debate the philosophical implications of 'un monde qui ne s'arrête jamais' or the legal nuances of 'un arrêté préfectoral.' 'Arrêter' is no longer a word you learned; it is a tool you own, capable of expressing the most complex human experiences of cessation, decision, and control.

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Arrêter in 30 Sekunden

Arrêter means 'to stop' in French.
Use 'arrêter de' + infinitive to say 'stop doing something'.
Use 's'arrêter' (reflexive) when the subject stops moving.
It also means 'to arrest' or 'to decide/fix' a date.

The French verb arrêter is a fundamental pillar of French communication, primarily recognized by English speakers as the equivalent of the verb 'to stop.' However, its utility in the French language is far more expansive and nuanced than its English counterpart. At its core, arrêter signifies the cessation of an action, the immobilization of an object, or the termination of a process. In everyday life, you will encounter this word in various environments: from a parent telling a child 'Arrête !' (Stop it!) to a police officer performing an arrestation (arrest).

Physical Cessation: This refers to the act of bringing something in motion to a complete standstill. For example, a driver stopping a car or a pedestrian stopping on the sidewalk.

Le conducteur doit arrêter le véhicule au feu rouge.

Beyond the physical, arrêter is used to describe the end of a habit or a continuous activity. When followed by the preposition de and an infinitive verb, it translates to 'to stop doing something.' This is perhaps the most common grammatical structure for learners to master. In a professional or legal context, arrêter takes on the meaning of 'to arrest' or 'to apprehend.' This is a direct cognate to the English word 'arrest.' When the police 'arrêtent' a suspect, they are legally stopping their freedom. Furthermore, in more formal French, the verb can mean 'to decide' or 'to fix' a specific detail, such as a date or a plan.

Decision Making: Used to indicate that a final choice has been made. 'Nous avons arrêté notre choix' (We have made our choice/fixed our decision).

La police a décidé d'arrêter le suspect hier soir.

Understanding the breadth of arrêter requires recognizing its reflexive form, s'arrêter. While arrêter is transitive (stopping something else), s'arrêter is intransitive (stopping oneself). If a bus stops, it 's'arrête.' If you stop to look at a shop window, you 'vous arrêtez.' This distinction is vital for achieving natural-sounding French.

Reflexive Use: Essential for describing things that come to a stop on their own or people who stop their own movement. 'Je m'arrête ici' (I am stopping here).

Le train s'arrête en gare de Lyon.

Il faut arrêter de s'inquiéter pour rien.

In summary, arrêter is a versatile verb that covers everything from physical motion and habit-breaking to legal actions and decision-making. Its frequency in the French language makes it one of the first verbs a learner should master, paying close attention to the preposition 'de' and the reflexive 'se' to ensure grammatical accuracy across different contexts.

Using arrêter correctly in a sentence involves understanding its various grammatical structures. The most straightforward use is the transitive form, where the verb takes a direct object. This is used when you are stopping an external object or person. For example, 'Il arrête la machine' (He stops the machine). Here, the machine is the direct object receiving the action of the verb.

Transitive Structure: Subject + Arrêter + Direct Object. Used for physical objects, people, or processes being halted by an external force.

L'arbitre a décidé d'arrêter le match à cause de la pluie.

The second, and perhaps most frequent, structure is arrêter de + infinitive. This is used to express the cessation of an activity. It is important to note that the preposition 'de' is mandatory in this context. Without it, the sentence becomes ungrammatical. For instance, 'Tu dois arrêter de fumer' (You must stop smoking). Note that in English, we often use the gerund (-ing form), but in French, we always use the infinitive after 'de'.

Veuillez arrêter de parler pendant l'examen.

The reflexive form s'arrêter is used when the subject of the sentence is the one coming to a stop. This is used for people walking, vehicles in motion, or even abstract concepts like time. 'Je m'arrête au café' (I am stopping at the café). In the past tense (passé composé), reflexive verbs always use 'être' as the auxiliary verb: 'Elle s'est arrêtée' (She stopped).

Reflexive Conjugation: Subject + Reflexive Pronoun + Arrêter. Remember to agree the past participle with the subject in the passé composé.

La voiture s'est arrêtée brusquement au milieu de la route.

Another nuanced use is arrêter followed by a noun representing a decision or a plan. This is common in administrative or formal French. 'Arrêter un projet' doesn't mean to stop a project that is already running, but rather to finalize the details of a project so it can begin. This can be confusing for learners as it seems to mean the opposite of 'stop.'

Le gouvernement a arrêté les nouvelles mesures sanitaires.

Finally, arrêter is used in the imperative mood for commands. 'Arrêtez !' is the formal or plural command, while 'Arrête !' is the informal singular. These are frequently heard in public spaces or during heated discussions.

Imperative Mood: Used for direct commands. 'Arrêtez de faire du bruit !' (Stop making noise!).

Arrêtez tout de suite ce que vous faites !

By mastering these five patterns—transitive use, 'arrêter de' + infinitive, reflexive 's'arrêter', formal decision-making, and the imperative—you will be able to navigate almost any situation involving the concept of stopping in French. Each structure serves a specific purpose and conveys a precise meaning, allowing for clear and effective communication.

In the Francophone world, arrêter is omnipresent, appearing in diverse social and professional settings. One of the most common places you will hear it is in the context of transportation. Whether you are on a bus, a train, or in a taxi, the concept of stopping is central. You might hear an announcement like 'Le train s'arrêtera en gare de...' or you might tell a taxi driver 'Vous pouvez vous arrêter ici, s'il vous plaît.'

Public Transport: Frequent in announcements and directions. 'L'arrêt de bus' (the bus stop) is a related noun you will see on signs everywhere.

Est-ce que ce bus s'arrête à la place de la Concorde ?

In the domestic sphere, arrêter is a staple of parental vocabulary. Parents frequently use it to discipline children or to ask them to cease an annoying behavior. Phrases like 'Arrête de faire le clown' (Stop acting like a clown) or 'Arrête tes bêtises' (Stop your nonsense) are heard in households across France. It is a firm but common way to set boundaries.

Arrête de toucher à tout dans le magasin !

In the news and media, arrêter is frequently used in reports about crime and justice. You will hear journalists say 'Le suspect a été arrêté par la police' (The suspect was arrested by the police). It also appears in political news when a government 'arrête une loi' (finalizes/decides on a law) or 'arrête un budget' (sets a budget).

News & Media: Used for police actions and official government decisions. It conveys a sense of authority and finality.

La police a enfin arrêté le cambrioleur après des mois de recherche.

In the workplace, you might hear arrêter when discussing projects or schedules. A manager might say 'Il faut arrêter les détails de la réunion' (We need to finalize the details of the meeting). Or, in a more negative sense, 'On a dû arrêter la production' (We had to stop production).

Nous devons arrêter une stratégie claire pour l'année prochaine.

Finally, in casual conversation among friends, arrêter is used to express disbelief or to tell someone to stop joking. 'Arrête !' can mean 'No way!' or 'You're kidding!' depending on the tone. This idiomatic use is very common in youth culture and informal social gatherings.

Informal Disbelief: Used as an exclamation. 'Mais arrête ! C'est pas vrai !' (Stop it! That's not true!).

Tu as gagné au loto ? Arrête, je ne te crois pas !

From the formal halls of justice to the casual banter of a café, arrêter is a versatile and essential verb that reflects the many ways we halt, decide, and interact in French society.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with arrêter is forgetting the preposition de when it is followed by another verb. In English, we say 'stop smoking' or 'stop talking,' using the gerund form. In French, you must say arrêter de fumer or arrêter de parler. Omitting the 'de' is a clear marker of a non-native speaker and can sometimes make the sentence difficult to understand.

Missing Preposition: Incorrect: 'J'arrête fumer.' Correct: 'J'arrête de fumer.' Always include 'de' before an infinitive.

Il ne peut pas arrêter de manger des bonbons.

Another common error is the confusion between arrêter and s'arrêter. As mentioned previously, arrêter is transitive (you stop something else), while s'arrêter is reflexive (you stop yourself). Learners often say 'Je m'arrête la voiture' when they mean 'J'arrête la voiture.' Conversely, they might say 'Le bus arrête' when they mean 'Le bus s'arrête.'

Le vent s'est arrêté de souffler soudainement.

A third mistake involves the past tense. Because s'arrêter is a reflexive verb, it requires the auxiliary verb être in the passé composé. Many learners mistakenly use 'avoir.' For example, they might say 'Je me suis arrêté' (Correct) vs 'J'ai m'arrêté' (Incorrect). Additionally, the past participle must agree with the subject: 'Elle s'est arrêtée' (She stopped).

Auxiliary Verb Error: Reflexive verbs always use 'être'. Don't forget the agreement: 'Ils se sont arrêtés'.

Nous nous sommes arrêtés pour admirer le paysage.

Learners also struggle with the formal meaning of arrêter as 'to decide' or 'to fix.' In English, 'to stop a date' would mean to cancel it. In French, 'arrêter une date' means to set it. This false friend can lead to significant misunderstandings in business or social planning.

Ils ont enfin arrêté les conditions du contrat.

Finally, there is the confusion between arrêter and finir (to finish) or cesser (to cease). While often interchangeable, finir implies completion of a task, whereas arrêter simply implies the action has stopped, perhaps before completion. Cesser is more formal and often used for abstract things like rain or noise.

Nuance of Completion: 'J'ai fini mon livre' (I finished my book) vs 'J'ai arrêté mon livre' (I stopped reading my book, maybe I didn't like it).

La pluie a cessé, mais nous avons arrêté de marcher quand même.

By being mindful of these common pitfalls—the preposition 'de', the reflexive 'se', the 'être' auxiliary, the formal 'decide' meaning, and the nuance compared to 'finir'—you will significantly improve your accuracy and fluency when using arrêter in French.

While arrêter is the most common way to express 'to stop,' the French language offers several alternatives that provide more precision or a different level of formality. Understanding these synonyms will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to describe situations more accurately.

Cesser: This is a more formal synonym for 'arrêter.' It is often used for natural phenomena or abstract concepts. 'La pluie a cessé' (The rain ceased). It can also be used without 'de' in some literary contexts, though 'cesser de' is standard.

Il ne cesse de pleuvoir depuis ce matin.

Another common alternative is finir (to finish) or terminer (to terminate/end). These are used when the stopping occurs because a task has been completed. If you stop working because the day is over, you might say 'J'ai fini de travailler.' If you stop working because you are tired, 'J'ai arrêté de travailler' is more appropriate.

J'ai terminé mes devoirs, je peux donc arrêter de réviser.

For mechanical or technical contexts, stopper is sometimes used. While it is an anglicism, it is quite common in modern French, especially in sports or when talking about a rapid, forceful stop. 'Le gardien a stoppé le ballon' (The goalkeeper stopped the ball). However, arrêter remains the more 'French' and versatile choice.

Stopper: An anglicism used for sudden or physical stops. Often found in sports commentary or news headlines.

La police a réussi à stopper la progression de l'incendie.

If you want to describe a temporary pause rather than a permanent stop, interrompre (to interrupt) or suspendre (to suspend) are excellent choices. 'Interrompre une conversation' (to interrupt a conversation) implies that it might start again. 'Suspendre une séance' (to suspend a session) is common in legal or parliamentary contexts.

L'appel téléphonique a interrompu notre dîner.

In the context of arresting someone, appréhender or interpeller are more technical police terms. 'Interpeller' is very common in French news to describe the moment the police take someone in for questioning.

Interpeller: A specific term for when police stop someone to check their identity or take them into custody.

Trois individus ont été interpellés après la manifestation.

Finally, for physical objects being brought to a halt, immobiliser (to immobilize) is a powerful word. It suggests that the object cannot move at all. 'Le sabot a immobilisé la voiture' (The wheel clamp immobilized the car). By choosing between arrêter, cesser, finir, interrompre, and interpeller, you can express the concept of 'stopping' with much greater precision and stylistic variety.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The English word 'arrest' comes directly from this French word. In the Middle Ages, it meant to stay or abide in a place.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /a.ʁɛ.te/

US /a.ɹɛ.te/

The stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable 'té'.

Reimt sich auf

chanté mangé parlé été beauté santé liberté volonté

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r'.
Making the final 'e' sound like 'ee' instead of 'ay'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 't' clearly.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it looks like 'arrest' and is common.

Schreiben 2/5

Need to remember the 'de' and reflexive 'se'.

Sprechen 2/5

The guttural 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Hören 1/5

Clearly pronounced and frequent in speech.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

commencer faire aller venir le

Als Nächstes lernen

cesser finir terminer interrompre continuer

Fortgeschritten

appréhender interpeller décréter statuer immobiliser

Wichtige Grammatik

Reflexive Verbs in Passé Composé

Je me suis arrêté (Agreement with subject).

Verb + De + Infinitive

Arrêter de manger (Never 'arrêter manger').

Imperative Mood for -er Verbs

Arrête ! (No 's' in the tu form).

Agreement of Past Participle with Direct Object

La voiture qu'il a arrêtée (Agreement with 'voiture').

Passive Voice with Être

Il a été arrêté par la police.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Arrête de parler !

Stop talking!

Uses 'arrêter de' + infinitive.

Le bus s'arrête ici.

The bus stops here.

Reflexive form 's'arrêter'.

J'arrête le travail à cinq heures.

I stop work at five o'clock.

Transitive use with a direct object.

Tu arrêtes la télévision ?

Are you stopping/turning off the television?

Present tense question.

Il s'arrête pour boire de l'eau.

He stops to drink some water.

Reflexive 's'arrêter' + 'pour' + infinitive.

Arrêtez la voiture !

Stop the car!

Imperative mood (formal/plural).

Nous arrêtons de jouer.

We are stopping playing.

First person plural present tense.

Elle arrête son vélo.

She stops her bike.

Transitive use.

J'ai arrêté de fumer l'année dernière.

I stopped smoking last year.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Elle s'est arrêtée devant la boulangerie.

She stopped in front of the bakery.

Reflexive passé composé with 'être' and agreement.

Vous devez arrêter de faire du bruit.

You must stop making noise.

Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive.

Le train ne s'arrête pas dans cette gare.

The train does not stop in this station.

Negation with 'ne... pas'.

Est-ce que tu peux arrêter la musique ?

Can you stop the music?

Question with 'pouvoir'.

Nous nous sommes arrêtés pour prendre des photos.

We stopped to take photos.

Reflexive plural agreement in passé composé.

Arrête de t'inquiéter pour rien.

Stop worrying for nothing.

Reflexive infinitive after 'arrêter de'.

Il a arrêté sa voiture sur le trottoir.

He stopped his car on the sidewalk.

Transitive passé composé.

La police a arrêté le suspect ce matin.

The police arrested the suspect this morning.

'Arrêter' meaning 'to arrest'.

Nous avons arrêté la date du mariage.

We have fixed the wedding date.

'Arrêter' meaning 'to decide/fix'.

Il faut arrêter de gaspiller de l'argent.

We must stop wasting money.

Impersonal 'il faut' + 'arrêter de'.

Le moteur s'est arrêté tout d'un coup.

The engine stopped all of a sudden.

Reflexive use for mechanical failure.

Arrête ton cinéma, je sais que tu mens !

Stop the act, I know you're lying!

Idiomatic expression.

Elle s'arrêtait souvent pour parler aux voisins.

She often stopped to talk to the neighbors.

Imparfait for past habits.

Ils ont arrêté de travailler à cause de la grève.

They stopped working because of the strike.

'Arrêter de' + infinitive.

Je m'arrêterai à la poste après le déjeuner.

I will stop at the post office after lunch.

Futur simple.

Le gouvernement a arrêté de nouvelles mesures.

The government has decided on new measures.

Formal use meaning 'to decide'.

Il a arrêté son regard sur le tableau.

He fixed his gaze on the painting.

Literary use 'arrêter son regard'.

Rien ne peut arrêter sa détermination.

Nothing can stop his determination.

Abstract use of 'arrêter'.

L'arbitre a arrêté le combat au troisième round.

The referee stopped the fight in the third round.

Context of sports/competition.

Elle s'est arrêtée de rire quand elle a vu son visage.

She stopped laughing when she saw his face.

Reflexive 's'arrêter de' + infinitive.

Nous devrions arrêter les frais maintenant.

We should cut our losses now.

Idiom 'arrêter les frais'.

Le vent a arrêté de souffler vers minuit.

The wind stopped blowing around midnight.

Natural phenomenon.

Il a été arrêté pour excès de vitesse.

He was stopped/arrested for speeding.

Passive voice construction.

Le tribunal a arrêté un jugement définitif.

The court has issued a final judgment.

Legal/Formal usage.

Son choix est arrêté, il ne changera pas d'avis.

His choice is fixed, he won't change his mind.

Adjectival use of the past participle.

L'écrivain s'arrête sur les détails de la nature.

The writer dwells on the details of nature.

Metaphorical use of 's'arrêter sur'.

Il faut arrêter le cours de cette épidémie.

We must stop the course of this epidemic.

Abstract/Formal usage.

Elle a les traits arrêtés et le regard vif.

She has well-defined features and a sharp gaze.

Descriptive literary use.

La séance fut arrêtée par le président.

The session was halted by the president.

Passive voice in a formal context.

On ne peut arrêter le progrès, dit-on souvent.

One cannot stop progress, it is often said.

Philosophical/General statement.

Il s'est arrêté de vivre à l'âge de cent ans.

He passed away at the age of one hundred.

Euphemism for death.

L'arrêté préfectoral interdit la circulation.

The prefectural decree forbids traffic.

Noun 'arrêté' meaning decree.

Il a un parti arrêté sur la question.

He has a fixed opinion on the matter.

Idiom 'avoir un parti arrêté'.

La mort a arrêté son élan créateur.

Death stopped his creative momentum.

High literary metaphor.

Il s'arrête à des considérations purement techniques.

He limits himself to purely technical considerations.

Nuanced use of 's'arrêter à'.

Le destin semblait avoir arrêté son sort.

Fate seemed to have decided his lot.

Philosophical/Fatalistic use.

Rien ne saurait arrêter la marche de l'histoire.

Nothing could stop the march of history.

Soutenu (elevated) register with 'saurait'.

L'horloge s'est arrêtée, figeant l'instant à jamais.

The clock stopped, freezing the moment forever.

Poetic personification.

Il a arrêté les termes du contrat avec soin.

He carefully finalized the terms of the contract.

Technical/Legal precision.

Häufige Kollokationen

arrêter de fumer

arrêter le moteur

arrêter une date

s'arrêter au feu rouge

arrêter le massacre

arrêter les frais

arrêter un suspect

arrêter de pleurer

arrêter son choix

sans s'arrêter

Häufige Phrasen

Arrête !

— Stop it! Used to tell someone to stop what they are doing.

Arrête ! Tu me fais mal.

Arrêtez !

— Stop! (Formal or plural).

Arrêtez de crier, s'il vous plaît.

J'arrête.

— I'm quitting / I'm stopping.

C'est trop dur, j'arrête.

On s'arrête là.

— Let's stop here / That's enough for now.

On s'arrête là pour aujourd'hui.

Arrête de faire le clown.

— Stop acting like a fool/clown.

Sois sérieux, arrête de faire le clown.

N'arrête pas !

— Don't stop!

C'est super, n'arrête pas !

Arrête de t'inquiéter.

— Stop worrying.

Tout va bien se passer, arrête de t'inquiéter.

Il s'arrête jamais.

— He never stops.

Il parle tout le temps, il s'arrête jamais.

Arrête tes bêtises.

— Stop your nonsense.

Arrête tes bêtises et viens manger.

On ne peut plus l'arrêter.

— He/She can't be stopped anymore.

Elle a tellement d'énergie, on ne peut plus l'arrêter.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

Arrêter vs finir

Finir means to complete a task, while arrêter means to cease the activity (maybe before it's done).

Arrêter vs cesser

Cesser is more formal and often used for natural events like rain.

Arrêter vs stopper

Stopper is an anglicism used for sudden physical stops.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Arrête ton char !"

— Stop exaggerating or stop joking. Literally 'stop your chariot'.

Tu as vu un OVNI ? Arrête ton char !

informal

"Arrêter les frais"

— To cut one's losses or stop a failing venture.

Ce projet ne marche pas, il faut arrêter les frais.

neutral

"Arrête ton cinéma !"

— Stop making a scene or acting.

Arrête ton cinéma, on sait que tu n'es pas malade.

informal

"Avoir un parti arrêté"

— To have a fixed opinion or a firm decision.

Il a un parti arrêté sur la politique, inutile de discuter.

formal

"S'arrêter en si bon chemin"

— To stop when things are going well or when close to the goal.

Tu as presque fini, ne t'arrête pas en si bon chemin !

neutral

"Arrêter le massacre"

— To put an end to a disastrous situation.

L'équipe perd 5-0, il faut arrêter le massacre.

informal

"Sans s'arrêter"

— Non-stop / Without pausing.

Il a plu pendant trois jours sans s'arrêter.

neutral

"Arrêter son regard sur"

— To fix one's gaze on something.

Il a arrêté son regard sur une vieille photo.

literary

"Un arrêt de mort"

— A death warrant (literal or figurative).

Cette décision est un arrêt de mort pour l'entreprise.

neutral

"D'un trait arrêté"

— With a firm, steady line (often in drawing).

Il dessine d'un trait arrêté.

literary

Leicht verwechselbar

Arrêter vs finir

Both can mean 'to stop' in English.

'Finir' implies the end of a process or task. 'Arrêter' implies a cessation of movement or habit.

J'ai fini mon livre (I read it all) vs J'ai arrêté mon livre (I stopped reading it).

Arrêter vs cesser

They are synonyms.

'Cesser' is more formal and literary. 'Arrêter' is common and versatile.

La pluie a cessé (Formal) vs La pluie s'est arrêtée (Common).

Arrêter vs quitter

Both involve leaving or stopping.

'Quitter' means to leave a place or a person. 'Arrêter' means to stop an action.

Il a quitté son travail (He left his job) vs Il a arrêté son travail (He stopped working for the moment).

Arrêter vs interrompre

Both mean to stop something.

'Interrompre' implies a temporary break or an external disturbance.

Il a interrompu mon discours.

Arrêter vs empêcher

Both involve stopping something from happening.

'Empêcher' means to prevent. 'Arrêter' means to stop something already in progress.

La pluie empêche le match (prevents it from starting) vs La pluie arrête le match (stops it while playing).

Satzmuster

Arrête de + [infinitive]

Arrête de crier !

[Subject] arrête [noun]

Il arrête la radio.

[Subject] s'arrête à [place]

Je m'arrête à la banque.

[Subject] a arrêté de + [infinitive]

Elle a arrêté de fumer.

[Subject] s'est arrêté pour + [infinitive]

Nous nous sommes arrêtés pour manger.

La police a arrêté [person]

La police a arrêté le criminel.

[Subject] a arrêté [decision/date]

Ils ont arrêté la date du départ.

[Subject] s'arrête sur [detail]

L'auteur s'arrête sur ce point précis.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

arrêt (a stop)

arrestation (an arrest)

arrêteur (one who stops)

arrêté (a decree)

Verben

arrêter (to stop)

réarrêter (to stop again)

Adjektive

arrêtable (stoppable)

inarrêtable (unstoppable)

arrêté (fixed/decided)

Verwandt

barrière (barrier)

rester (to stay)

retard (delay)

station (station)

statique (static)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high; used multiple times daily in various contexts.

Häufige Fehler

J'arrête fumer. → J'arrête de fumer.
You must use the preposition 'de' before an infinitive verb.
Le bus arrête ici. → Le bus s'arrête ici.
When a subject stops itself, you must use the reflexive form 's'arrêter'.
J'ai m'arrêté. → Je me suis arrêté.
Reflexive verbs always use 'être' as the auxiliary in the passé composé.
Arrêtes ! → Arrête !
In the imperative 'tu' form of -er verbs, the final 's' is dropped.
J'ai arrêté le livre. (meaning I finished it) → J'ai fini le livre.
'Arrêter' means you stopped reading it, possibly without finishing. 'Finir' means you read the whole thing.

Tipps

The 'De' Rule

Always put 'de' before an infinitive. 'Arrête de manger' is correct. 'Arrête manger' is a common mistake for English speakers.

Reflexive for Vehicles

When a bus or car stops, use 's'arrêter'. 'Le bus s'arrête à l'arrêt' is the natural way to say it.

Arrest vs. Stop

In a legal context, 'arrêter' means 'to arrest'. In a traffic context, it means 'to stop'. The context usually makes it clear.

Stop the Drama

Use 'Arrête ton cinéma !' when someone is being overly dramatic or lying. It's a very common and colorful expression.

The Final 'é'

The 'er' ending in 'arrêter' is pronounced exactly like 'é'. It sounds like 'ay' in 'play' but shorter and crisper.

Agreement Matters

In the passé composé with 's'arrêter', don't forget to agree the past participle: 'Elle s'est arrêtée'.

Directness

Don't be offended if a French person says 'Arrête !' sharply. It's a common, direct way of communicating in France.

Setting Dates

If you hear 'On a arrêté la date', don't think the event is cancelled! It means the date is finally set.

Arrêter vs Finir

Use 'arrêter' if you might start again later. Use 'finir' if the task is done forever.

Visualizing the Sign

Visualize the red octagonal 'ARRÊT' signs found in Quebec or the word 'ARRÊT' at bus stops in France.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'rest' (from the Latin root). When you 'arrêter', you make something 'rest' or stop moving.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a red 'STOP' sign in France that says 'ARRÊT'. Visualize a police officer holding up a hand to 'arrest' a car.

Word Web

stop arrest decide fix cease pause halt stay

Herausforderung

Try to use 'arrêter de' with three different activities you did today (e.g., 'J'ai arrêté de travailler').

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Old French 'arester', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'arrestare'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To stay, to stand still, or to bring to a halt.

Romance (Latin)

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities, but 'arrêter' in a police context should be used accurately to avoid confusion with 'interpeller'.

English speakers often use 'stop' for both 'arrêter' and 's'arrêter', leading to confusion with reflexive pronouns.

'Arrête-moi si tu peux' (Catch Me If You Can - movie title) 'L'arrêt de mort' by Maurice Blanchot (famous literary work) 'Ne t'arrête pas' (common song title)

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Transportation

Où est l'arrêt de bus ?
Le train s'arrête-t-il à Paris ?
Arrêtez-vous ici, merci.
Le prochain arrêt est...

Habits

J'ai arrêté de boire du café.
Tu devrais arrêter de fumer.
Elle n'arrête pas de parler.
Il a arrêté le sucre.

Police/Law

Vous êtes en état d'arrestation.
La police a arrêté le voleur.
Un arrêté municipal.
Arrêtez-vous au nom de la loi !

Daily Life

Arrête ça !
On s'arrête pour manger ?
N'arrête pas de sourire.
Il s'est arrêté de pleuvoir.

Work/Planning

Nous avons arrêté le budget.
Arrêter une décision.
Il faut arrêter les détails.
On arrête le projet.

Gesprächseinstiege

"À quelle heure est-ce que tu arrêtes le travail d'habitude ?"

"Est-ce que tu as déjà arrêté une mauvaise habitude cette année ?"

"Où est-ce que nous devrions nous arrêter pour déjeuner pendant le voyage ?"

"Pourquoi est-ce que le bus ne s'est pas arrêté à cet arrêt ?"

"Est-ce que tu peux m'aider à arrêter une date pour notre prochaine réunion ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décrivez une habitude que vous avez arrêtée récemment et pourquoi.

Imaginez que vous voyagez en France : où vous arrêtez-vous et que voyez-vous ?

Racontez une histoire où quelqu'un a dû arrêter un événement important.

Qu'est-ce qui vous motive à ne jamais arrêter d'apprendre le français ?

Si vous pouviez arrêter le temps pendant une heure, que feriez-vous ?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Only when it is followed by another verb. For example, 'arrêter de fumer'. If it's followed by a noun, you don't need 'de', e.g., 'arrêter la voiture'.

'Arrêter' is used when you stop something else (transitive). 'S'arrêter' is used when you stop yourself or when a subject stops on its own (reflexive).

Yes, in formal contexts, 'arrêter une date' or 'arrêter un choix' means to finalize or fix a decision.

You say 'Arrête !' (informal) or 'Arrêtez !' (formal/plural).

Yes, but it is an anglicism. It is common in sports or for sudden stops, but 'arrêter' is more standard.

It uses 'avoir' for the transitive form (J'ai arrêté la musique) and 'être' for the reflexive form (Je me suis arrêté).

For 'tu', it's 'Arrête' (no s). For 'nous', it's 'Arrêtons'. For 'vous', it's 'Arrêtez'.

It is a formal decree or order issued by a prefect (a high-ranking government official in France).

Yes, you can say 'arrêter la télévision' or 'arrêter l'ordinateur', though 'éteindre' is more specific.

It's an idiom meaning 'to cut one's losses' or stop a situation that is costing too much time or money.

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