Signification
Signaling the end of a portion or action.
Contexte culturel
Saying 'Basta così' is often accompanied by placing your hand over your glass or slightly pushing your plate away to signal you are truly finished. In the south, hospitality is extremely insistent. You might have to say 'Basta così' three or four times before the host actually stops offering food. Vendors often try to round up the weight (e.g., 250g instead of 200g). 'Basta così' is your tool to keep your budget in check. Italians value work-life balance. 'Per oggi basta così' is a common phrase heard in offices at 6:00 PM, signaling the collective end of the workday.
The Hand Gesture
Hold your hand out with the palm facing down and move it slightly side-to-side to look like a local while saying it.
Tone Matters
Say it with a smile to be polite. Say it with a frown to tell someone to shut up!
Signification
Signaling the end of a portion or action.
The Hand Gesture
Hold your hand out with the palm facing down and move it slightly side-to-side to look like a local while saying it.
Tone Matters
Say it with a smile to be polite. Say it with a frown to tell someone to shut up!
The 'Grazie' Sandwich
Always put 'grazie' before or after 'basta così' in shops to ensure you don't sound like a rude tourist.
Teste-toi
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of 'Basta così'.
1. A waiter pours wine. 2. A child is screaming. 3. You finish your homework.
Politeness is key with service staff; firmness is needed for discipline; 'per oggi' is common for ending tasks.
Complete the dialogue at the market.
Venditore: 'Vuole altro formaggio?' - Cliente: 'No grazie, ______ ______.'
'Basta così' is the standard idiomatic response in this context.
Which of these is NOT a correct way to use the phrase?
Choose the incorrect sentence:
You should never use 'essere' (è) with 'basta' because 'basta' is already a verb.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
When to use Basta Così
Food
- • Wine
- • Cheese
- • Pasta
Social
- • Arguments
- • Long stories
- • Small talk
Work
- • Tasks
- • Meetings
- • Lessons
Banque d exercices
3 exercices1. A waiter pours wine. 2. A child is screaming. 3. You finish your homework.
Politeness is key with service staff; firmness is needed for discipline; 'per oggi' is common for ending tasks.
Venditore: 'Vuole altro formaggio?' - Cliente: 'No grazie, ______ ______.'
'Basta così' is the standard idiomatic response in this context.
Choose the incorrect sentence:
You should never use 'essere' (è) with 'basta' because 'basta' is already a verb.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, it's perfectly neutral. It only becomes rude if you shout it or use an aggressive tone.
Yes, but 'Basta così' is softer and more common in social situations like dining.
'Basta così' means 'stop giving me more.' 'A posto così' means 'I have everything I need.' They are often interchangeable in restaurants.
Usually just a firm 'Basta!' or 'Ora basta!' is used for discipline.
Expressions liées
A posto così
similarAll set / All good
Non ne posso più
builds onI can't take it anymore
Sufficiente
synonymSufficient
Fermati
contrastStop (yourself)
