🇫🇷 French phrases

How to Say "Stop" in French

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Arrête
"Stop" in French · say it like ah-reht

The most natural way to say "Stop" in French is Arrête. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Stoppez
more formal or used in commands
Cesse
used in a more literary or formal context

When to use it

You can use 'Arrête' when you want someone to stop what they are doing. It is informal and commonly used among friends or in casual situations. For more formal situations, you might use 'Stoppez'.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Stop" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in French

FrenchEnglish
Arrête de parler.Stop talking.
Arrête ça tout de suite.Stop that right now.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'Arrête' with 'Arrêter', which is the infinitive form. Use 'Arrête' for commands.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Arrête, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking French with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'Arrête' used in formal situations?

'Arrête' is informal; for formal situations, use 'Stoppez'.

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