Resta zitto un minuto.

Because this is the tu imperative of restare.

For regular -are verbs, the informal singular command uses the same ending as the lui/lei present form:

• parlare → parla
• aspettare → aspetta
• restare → resta

So Resta zitto means Stay quiet / Keep quiet when speaking to one person informally.

Resta comes from restare, which usually means to remain, to stay, or to keep being.

So literally, Resta zitto is something like:

• Remain quiet
• Stay quiet

In natural English, that often becomes Be quiet or Keep quiet.

Yes. Zitto is an adjective, and it means quiet, silent, or more specifically not speaking.

In this sentence, it describes the person being addressed:

• Resta zitto = Stay quiet

Italian often uses an adjective this way after verbs like essere, stare, or restare.

Yes. Since zitto is an adjective, it agrees in gender and number.

Common forms:

• zitto = to one male
• zitta = to one female
• zitti = to more than one person, all male or mixed group
• zitte = to more than one female

So you could have:

• Resta zitto — to one man/boy
• Resta zitta — to one woman/girl
• Restate zitti — to more than one person

Because Italian usually leaves subject pronouns out when they are clear from the verb form.

In commands, this is especially normal.

So instead of:

• Tu resta zitto ❌

Italian normally says:

• Resta zitto ✅

The verb form already shows that the command is directed at you (informal singular).

Literally, un minuto means one minute.

But in everyday speech, it often means something looser, like:

• for a minute
• for a moment
• just a second

So in context, it may not be a precise 60-second instruction. It can simply mean briefly.

Italian often expresses duration without a preposition.

So both the idea and structure are natural in Italian:

• Aspetta un attimo = Wait a moment
• Taci un secondo = Be quiet for a second
• Resta zitto un minuto = Stay quiet for a minute

English often uses for, but Italian frequently leaves it out.

You could say per un minuto, but without per is very common and natural.

Yes, but it has a specific nuance.

• Stai zitto is probably the more common everyday command for Be quiet
• Resta zitto emphasizes remaining quiet, continuing to be quiet

So:

• Stai zitto = Be quiet
• Resta zitto = Stay quiet / Keep quiet

The difference is small in many situations, but resta can suggest don’t start talking again.

It can be.

A direct imperative like Resta zitto sounds strong and can easily sound:

• impatient
• irritated
• bossy
• rude

Depending on tone and context, it might be fine among friends, but it can also sound harsh.

Softer alternatives include:

• Stai zitto un attimo, per favore.
• Fai silenzio un momento.
• Puoi stare zitto un secondo?

Adding per favore or using a question makes it less abrupt.

They are not used the same way.

Zitto is the normal word for telling a person not to speak:

• Stai zitto
• Resta zitto

Silenzioso usually means silent or quiet in a more descriptive sense, often for places, objects, or general atmosphere:

• una stanza silenziosa = a quiet room
• un motore silenzioso = a quiet engine

So if you want to tell someone Be quiet, zitto is the natural choice.

Yes, but Resta zitto un minuto is perfectly natural.

You may also hear:

• Resta zitto per un minuto
• Resta zitto un attimo
• Zitto un minuto! — shorter, more abrupt

The original order is straightforward:

• Resta = command
• zitto = the state to remain in
• un minuto = duration

It changes depending on who you are addressing.

Examples:

• Resta zitto = informal singular, to one male
• Resta zitta = informal singular, to one female
• Resti zitto = formal singular, to one male
• Resti zitta = formal singular, to one female
• Restate zitti = plural, to more than one person

So both the verb and the adjective may change.

Yes. Rimani zitto is also possible and means nearly the same thing.

That is from rimanere, which also means to remain / stay.

So these are close in meaning:

• Resta zitto
• Rimani zitto

In many contexts, they are interchangeable. A learner will probably hear stai zitto even more often in everyday speech, though.