Breakdown of Smettila di piagnucolare per ogni piccola cosa.
piccolo
small
la cosa
the thing
per
for / in order to / because of
ogni
every
Questions & Answers about Smettila di piagnucolare per ogni piccola cosa.
What is the base verb of smettila, and why is there a la attached to it?
The base verb is the pronominal verb smetterla. It is formed from smettere (to stop or quit) plus the fixed feminine pronoun la. In this context, la does not replace a specific noun; it acts as an idiomatic part of the expression meaning 'to stop it' or 'to cut it out.' Smettila is the informal command form for a single person.
Why do we use di after smettila?
The verb smettere, as well as its pronominal form smetterla, requires the preposition di when it is followed by an infinitive verb. Therefore, 'to stop doing something' translates to smettere di fare qualcosa.
How does the verb piagnucolare relate to the standard word for crying?
Piagnucolare is an altered verb derived from piangere (to cry). The suffix -ucolare adds a diminutive and slightly derogatory or repetitive meaning, successfully changing the action from 'to cry' into 'to whine,' 'to snivel,' or 'to whimper.'
The current lesson covers non fare altro che (to do nothing but). How would you use that structure to describe the behavior of the person being spoken to here?