Signification
To be reserved and avoid socializing.
Contexte culturel
In Italy, being 'asociale' is often viewed more critically than in Northern Europe. 'Stare sulle sue' is a frequent observation because social participation is highly valued. The 'coffee break' (la pausa caffè) is sacred. A colleague who 'sta sulle sue' and skips this ritual might be seen as not being a 'team player'. In cities like Milan, 'stare sulle sue' can be a sign of professional boundaries. In the South, it's more likely to be interpreted as a mood or a personal problem. Teenagers use this phrase to describe friends who are 'ghosting' the group or acting 'emo' or withdrawn.
Agreement is Key
The most common mistake is not changing 'sue' to 'mie' or 'tue'. Always check your subject!
Use 'Starsene'
To sound more native, use 'starsene' (e.g., 'Se ne sta sulle sue'). It sounds much more natural in casual conversation.
Signification
To be reserved and avoid socializing.
Agreement is Key
The most common mistake is not changing 'sue' to 'mie' or 'tue'. Always check your subject!
Use 'Starsene'
To sound more native, use 'starsene' (e.g., 'Se ne sta sulle sue'). It sounds much more natural in casual conversation.
Not necessarily negative
Don't assume someone is angry if they are 'sulle sue'. In Italy, it can just mean they are 'pensierosi' (thoughtful).
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'stare sulle sue' (remember to change the possessive!).
Io non ho voglia di parlare con nessuno oggi, preferisco ________.
Since the subject is 'Io' (I), the possessive must be 'mie'.
Which sentence correctly describes a group of shy people at a party?
I ragazzi sono molto timidi e...
'I ragazzi' is third-person plural (they), so we use 'loro'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.
Situazione: Tuo fratello è arrabbiato e non vuole parlare a cena.
'Stare sulle sue' perfectly describes someone who is present but refusing to interact due to a mood.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Perché Maria non è venuta a ballare?' B: 'Non lo so, è tutta la sera che ________.'
The reflexive-intensive form 'se ne sta' is very common when describing someone's persistent state.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIo non ho voglia di parlare con nessuno oggi, preferisco ________.
Since the subject is 'Io' (I), the possessive must be 'mie'.
I ragazzi sono molto timidi e...
'I ragazzi' is third-person plural (they), so we use 'loro'.
Situazione: Tuo fratello è arrabbiato e non vuole parlare a cena.
'Stare sulle sue' perfectly describes someone who is present but refusing to interact due to a mood.
A: 'Perché Maria non è venuta a ballare?' B: 'Non lo so, è tutta la sera che ________.'
The reflexive-intensive form 'se ne sta' is very common when describing someone's persistent state.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot inherently. It's a description of behavior. However, in a very social setting, it might be perceived as a lack of interest.
Yes! Just say 'stanno sulle loro'.
'Essere timido' is a personality trait (shyness). 'Stare sulle sue' is the actual behavior of withdrawing.
You might use it to describe your need for focus, but be careful—it can sound like you aren't a team player.
No. Even if the subject is male, it is always 'sulle sue' (feminine plural) because it refers to the hidden word 'posizioni'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from North to South.
Not really. It means you are avoiding social interaction, not that you have a lot of work.
You could say 'essere alla mano' (to be easy-going/approachable) or 'essere socievole'.
It's very common in both, but you'll hear it constantly in spoken Italian when people gossip or describe friends.
Yes! A cat that doesn't want to be petted 'sta sulle sue'.
Expressions liées
stare nel proprio guscio
similarTo stay in one's shell
fare l'orso
similarTo act like a bear
aprirsi
contrastTo open up
fare comunella
contrastTo hang out together / to plot together
