à l' arrêt
à the arrêt
بهطور تحتاللفظی: at the stop
Use it to describe anything—from a car to a career—that has completely stopped moving or progressing.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Means being at a complete standstill or totally stopped.
- Used for vehicles, machinery, projects, or even your own progress.
- Commonly used with the verb 'être' to describe a current state.
معنی
This phrase describes something that has come to a complete standstill or is no longer moving or functioning. It can refer to a car at a red light, a machine that's turned off, or even a project that has stalled.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Stuck in heavy traffic
On est à l'arrêt depuis vingt minutes sur l'autoroute.
We've been at a standstill for twenty minutes on the highway.
A project at work is stalled
Le chantier est à l'arrêt à cause de la pluie.
The construction site is at a standstill because of the rain.
Texting a friend about a broken elevator
L'ascenseur est encore à l'arrêt, je prends les escaliers !
The elevator is stopped again, I'm taking the stairs!
زمینه فرهنگی
The phrase is deeply tied to the French infrastructure, particularly the SNCF (national railway). Because public transport is the backbone of French travel, the state of being 'stopped' is a frequent topic of conversation. It gained even more metaphorical usage during industrial shifts in the 20th century.
The 'En' vs 'À' Trap
Never say 'Je suis en arrêt' unless you are telling your boss you are sick. Use 'à l'arrêt' for physical stopping.
The Strike Connection
In France, 'à l'arrêt' is the unofficial slogan of a 'grève' (strike). If you see this on the news, expect travel delays!
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Means being at a complete standstill or totally stopped.
- Used for vehicles, machinery, projects, or even your own progress.
- Commonly used with the verb 'être' to describe a current state.
What It Means
Imagine you are sitting in a car. The engine is off. You aren't moving an inch. That is à l'arrêt. It literally means being in a state of 'stop.' It is not just about physical movement, though. It can describe a factory that has closed its doors. It can describe your career if you feel stuck. It is the French way of saying 'at a standstill' or 'stationary.'
How To Use It
You usually pair this with the verb être (to be). You might say Le bus est à l'arrêt. It acts like an adjective describing the current state of something. You can also use it with se trouver (to be located/to find oneself). It is very flexible. You can use it for machines, vehicles, or abstract concepts like 'the economy.' Just remember it describes a state, not the action of stopping.
When To Use It
Use it when you are stuck in traffic. Text your friend: Je suis à l'arrêt sur le périph. Use it at work when a software bug kills your productivity. It is perfect for describing a train waiting at a platform. You will hear it on the news often. They use it for strikes or economic pauses. It is a very common, everyday expression. It feels natural in almost any setting.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a quick pause. If you stop talking to take a breath, you are not à l'arrêt. That is just a pause. Also, do not confuse it with en arrêt. If you say Je suis en arrêt, people will think you are on medical leave from work! That is a very common mistake. À l'arrêt is about the physical or functional halt. En arrêt is usually about your employment status or a dog pointing at prey.
Cultural Background
France is famous for its strikes, or les grèves. During these times, you will hear à l'arrêt everywhere. The trains are à l'arrêt. The schools are à l'arrêt. It is a phrase that carries a bit of weight in French society. It implies a total cessation of the normal flow of life. It also connects to the French love for precision. There is a specific word for every kind of 'stop.'
Common Variations
You can add complet for emphasis. Le trafic est à l'arrêt complet. This makes it sound much more dramatic. You might also hear mis à l'arrêt. This means something was 'put' into a stopped state, like a nuclear reactor. Another variation is rester à l'arrêt, meaning to remain stationary. These small tweaks help you sound more like a native speaker.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is neutral and very versatile. The biggest 'gotcha' is confusing it with 'en arrêt' (medical leave), so always stick to 'à' when describing a standstill.
The 'En' vs 'À' Trap
Never say 'Je suis en arrêt' unless you are telling your boss you are sick. Use 'à l'arrêt' for physical stopping.
The Strike Connection
In France, 'à l'arrêt' is the unofficial slogan of a 'grève' (strike). If you see this on the news, expect travel delays!
Add 'Complet' for Drama
If you want to sound more frustrated or emphasize the situation, say 'à l'arrêt complet'. It adds a nice native touch.
مثالها
6On est à l'arrêt depuis vingt minutes sur l'autoroute.
We've been at a standstill for twenty minutes on the highway.
Describes physical lack of movement in a vehicle.
Le chantier est à l'arrêt à cause de la pluie.
The construction site is at a standstill because of the rain.
Shows a metaphorical stop in progress.
L'ascenseur est encore à l'arrêt, je prends les escaliers !
The elevator is stopped again, I'm taking the stairs!
Used for a machine that is out of service.
Après ce repas, mon cerveau est totalement à l'arrêt.
After this meal, my brain is totally shut down.
Hyperbolic use to describe mental exhaustion.
Suite à la grève, tout le réseau ferroviaire est à l'arrêt.
Following the strike, the entire rail network is at a standstill.
Formal reporting of a major event.
Le temps semblait à l'arrêt quand elle a annoncé la nouvelle.
Time seemed to stand still when she announced the news.
Poetic or emotional use of the phrase.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct phrase to describe a car that isn't moving.
La voiture est ___ au feu rouge.
`À l'arrêt` describes the physical state of being stopped, whereas `en arrêt` usually refers to medical leave.
Complete the sentence to say the project has stopped.
Depuis le départ du chef, le projet est totalement ___.
`À l'arrêt` is the standard way to say a project or process has stalled.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality Spectrum of 'à l'arrêt'
Texting a friend about being stuck in traffic.
Chuis à l'arrêt, dsl.
Standard everyday conversation or news reports.
Le bus est à l'arrêt.
Official business reports or technical documentation.
La production restera à l'arrêt jusqu'à lundi.
When to use 'à l'arrêt'
Traffic Jams
Stuck on the highway.
Broken Tech
An elevator or computer that won't move.
Business
A project with no funding.
Human Energy
Feeling completely burnt out.
سوالات متداول
12 سوالIt means something is at a complete standstill. For example, Le moteur est à l'arrêt means the engine is off.
Yes, but usually metaphorically. You wouldn't say a person standing still is à l'arrêt, but you could say their career is à l'arrêt.
It is neutral. You can use it with your friends or in a professional email without any issues.
You can say Je suis à l'arrêt dans les bouchons. It implies you aren't moving at all.
À l'arrêt means stopped. En arrêt usually refers to being on medical leave (en arrêt maladie).
Absolutely. If a project has no progress, you say Le projet est à l'arrêt.
The verb is s'arrêter, but être à l'arrêt describes the state of being stopped after the action has happened.
Yes, if a machine or computer system is not functioning, you can say it is à l'arrêt.
No, a bus stop is un arrêt de bus. À l'arrêt describes the bus when it is actually sitting there.
Very common! You will hear it daily, especially regarding transport or news updates.
Yes, adding totalement or complètement is very common to emphasize that nothing is moving.
Not necessarily. It just means 'not moving.' A car at a red light is à l'arrêt but not broken.
عبارات مرتبط
en panne
broken down / out of order
faire du surplace
to go nowhere / to treading water
au point mort
at a dead end / in neutral
immobilisé
immobilized / stuck
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