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What does “basta” mean in Italian

The Italian word basta translates to enough or stop in English. It is a versatile and commonly used term to express that something should cease or that a sufficient amount has been reached. Depending on the context, basta can be used to convey a sense of finality, impatience, or simply to indicate that no more is needed or wanted.

Here are a few examples of how basta is used:

Basta così, grazie. – That’s enough, thank you.
Basta parlare, ora dobbiamo agire. – Enough talking, now we need to act.
Basta! Non ne posso più! – Stop! I can’t take it anymore!

In conversation, basta is often used on its own as a command or exclamation, similar to saying enough! or that’s it! in English. It can express frustration or impatience, especially if someone wants to put an end to a situation or discussion.

For example:

Basta! – Stop it!
Basta con le scuse! – Enough with the excuses!

Additionally, basta can be combined with other words to form phrases that convey more specific meanings:

Basta così. – That’s enough (in the context of receiving food, drinks, etc.).
Mi basta. – It’s enough for me.

In summary, basta is a versatile word in Italian that means enough or stop and is used to indicate that something should come to an end or that a sufficient amount has been reached. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from expressing frustration to simply saying that something is adequate.