Signification
Telling someone to remain in a place.
Contexte culturel
In Romania, personal space is often smaller than in Northern Europe. Telling someone 'Stai aici' might be accompanied by a light touch on the arm to guide them to the spot. In villages, 'stai' is often used to mean 'wait' in a broader sense, like 'Wait, let me tell you something'. It's a way to pause a conversation. Young people in cities like Cluj or Bucharest might use 'Stai chill' (Stay chill), blending Romanian with English slang to mean 'Relax' or 'Don't worry'. Romanians are very fond of their dogs. 'Stai aici' is the first command taught in almost every puppy school, usually followed by 'Șezi' (Sit).
Add 'un pic'
Adding 'un pic' (a bit) after 'Stai aici' makes the command sound much softer and more natural.
Watch the 'i'
If you forget the 'i' in 'stai', you are saying 'he/she stays', which will confuse people.
Signification
Telling someone to remain in a place.
Add 'un pic'
Adding 'un pic' (a bit) after 'Stai aici' makes the command sound much softer and more natural.
Watch the 'i'
If you forget the 'i' in 'stai', you are saying 'he/she stays', which will confuse people.
The 'Măi' Factor
Use 'Stai aici, măi' with close friends to sound like a local, but never use 'măi' with strangers.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to tell your friend to stay here.
________ aici, te rog!
Since you are talking to a friend (informal), 'Stai' is the correct imperative form.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal situation (e.g., speaking to a doctor)?
How do you say 'Stay here' formally?
'Stați' is the formal/plural form, and 'vă rog' adds necessary politeness.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
Andrei: Mă duc să iau apă. Elena: Bine, eu ________ aici cu bagajele.
Elena is saying 'I am staying', so she needs the first person singular present indicative 'stau'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Match 'Nu sta aici!'
'Nu sta aici' is the negative imperative, used as a warning or instruction not to remain.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Stai aici'
Friends
- • Waiting at a cafe
- • Holding a spot in line
- • Shopping together
Pets
- • Training
- • At the door
- • In the park
Family
- • With children
- • At home
- • During travel
Banque d exercices
4 exercices________ aici, te rog!
Since you are talking to a friend (informal), 'Stai' is the correct imperative form.
How do you say 'Stay here' formally?
'Stați' is the formal/plural form, and 'vă rog' adds necessary politeness.
Andrei: Mă duc să iau apă. Elena: Bine, eu ________ aici cu bagajele.
Elena is saying 'I am staying', so she needs the first person singular present indicative 'stau'.
Match 'Nu sta aici!'
'Nu sta aici' is the negative imperative, used as a warning or instruction not to remain.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt depends on the tone and who you are talking to. With friends, it's normal. With strangers, use 'Stați aici, vă rog'.
You can say 'Stau la hotel' (I am staying at a hotel), but you wouldn't use the command 'Stai aici' to mean 'Live in this hotel'.
The plural form is 'Stați aici'. Use this for two or more people.
You say 'Stai aici cu mine'.
'Stai' is more about waiting/not moving. 'Rămâi' is about staying behind when others leave.
Yes, it is the most common command for dogs in Romania.
Usually, yes. 'Aici stai' is possible but sounds very emphatic or angry.
Use 'Nu sta aici'. Note that 'stai' loses the 'i' in the negative singular imperative.
Yes, very often. 'Stai acolo, vin eu' (Stay there, I'm coming) is a common text.
Yes, it can mean 'Stand here' if the person is currently standing.
Expressions liées
Rămâi aici
similarRemain here
Așteaptă aici
similarWait here
Pleacă de aici
contrastGo away from here
Stai așa
specialized formStay like that / Wait a second
