Signification
To be surprised or shocked by news.
Contexte culturel
In Italy, being 'di sasso' is often followed by a lot of talking. The silence of the 'stone' is a brief, dramatic pause before the emotional outpouring. The metaphor is linked to Italy's history of sculpture. To be 'di sasso' is to become like a statue by Bernini or Michelangelo—frozen in a moment of high drama. In Tuscany and Rome, 'rimanere di stucco' is often preferred over 'sasso', but both are understood everywhere. Dante uses the concept of 'pietrificazione' in the Inferno to describe the souls who can no longer feel or move because of their sins or terror.
Agreement is Key
Always remember to change 'rimasto' to 'rimasta' if you are a woman!
Don't Pluralize Sasso
Even if 100 people are shocked, it's still 'di sasso', not 'di sassi'.
Signification
To be surprised or shocked by news.
Agreement is Key
Always remember to change 'rimasto' to 'rimasta' if you are a woman!
Don't Pluralize Sasso
Even if 100 people are shocked, it's still 'di sasso', not 'di sassi'.
Use with 'Ci'
Adding 'ci' (Ci sono rimasto di sasso) makes you sound much more like a native speaker. It adds emphasis to your personal involvement.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'rimanere' and the idiom.
Quando abbiamo visto la torta gigante, noi _______ __ _____.
We need the auxiliary 'essere' (siamo), the plural past participle (rimasti), and the singular 'sasso'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Reaction to a surprise:
'Maria' is feminine singular, so 'rimasta' is required. 'Sasso' is always singular.
Match the situation to the most likely reaction.
Situations: 1. Finding 10 cents. 2. Seeing a ghost. 3. Eating pasta.
'Rimanere di sasso' is reserved for extreme shocks, like seeing a ghost.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Hai sentito che il capo si dimette?' B: 'Cosa?! Io _______!'
Both 'di sasso' and 'di stucco' are valid synonyms for being stunned.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesQuando abbiamo visto la torta gigante, noi _______ __ _____.
We need the auxiliary 'essere' (siamo), the plural past participle (rimasti), and the singular 'sasso'.
Reaction to a surprise:
'Maria' is feminine singular, so 'rimasta' is required. 'Sasso' is always singular.
Situations: 1. Finding 10 cents. 2. Seeing a ghost. 3. Eating pasta.
'Rimanere di sasso' is reserved for extreme shocks, like seeing a ghost.
A: 'Hai sentito che il capo si dimette?' B: 'Cosa?! Io _______!'
Both 'di sasso' and 'di stucco' are valid synonyms for being stunned.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's neutral/informal. You can use it with friends or colleagues, but maybe not in a legal document.
Yes! It works for any shock, whether it's winning the lottery or hearing about a tragedy.
They are almost identical. 'Di stucco' is slightly more common in some regions and feels a bit more 'molded' by surprise.
Always 'essere'. Example: 'Sono rimasto', never 'Ho rimasto'.
You can, but it's less common. 'Sasso' is the standard idiomatic choice.
Not at all. It's a very safe and common idiom to use.
Yes, if a dog looks shocked, you can say 'Il cane è rimasto di sasso'.
Mostly, but 'petrified' in English often implies fear. 'Di sasso' is more about pure surprise.
'Rimanere di sasso' is a great equivalent for that feeling.
No, 'sasso' just means stone. The idiom is figurative, but the words are standard.
Expressions liées
rimanere di stucco
synonymTo be stunned/plastered.
rimanere a bocca aperta
similarTo be left with one's mouth open.
fare un salto
contrastTo jump (from surprise).
rimanere di sale
similarTo turn into a pillar of salt.
cascare dalle nuvole
builds onTo fall from the clouds.
