Listen and repeat.

In the previous courses, we learned that we can use the following construction to talk about an ongoing action:

present tense of stare + gerundio

• sto mangiando = I am eating

In colloquial speech we can sometimes use the construction:

present tense of stare or essere a + infinitive

• sono qui a lavorare = I’m here working

This construction not only describes a continuous action but it often adds a sense of insistence to the main verb:

• Sta lì a guardare le stelle come un bambino: He’s been there watching the stars like a child (=and he can’t stop)
• È inutile stare a parlare di quello che è successo: It’s no use talking about what happened (=even if we insist on talking about it, things won’t change anyway)
• E ora sono qui a rimpiangere il passato: And now I’m here regretting the past (=and I can’t get over it)

This construction often conveys a sense of complaint or discontent as well:

• Mi stai a sentire ?: Are you listening to me ? (=are you paying attention or what ?)

Notice how we often specify the place where the action is taking place with this type of construction.

• È in camera sua a guardare cartoni animati: He’s in his room watching cartoons
• Sto qua a pensare da ore: I’ve been here thinking for hours

We can also use the imperative mood instead of the present tense when we want someone to focus on something or when we want them to stop doing something. In this case this construction can also convey a sense of complaint or discontent: 

• Stammi a sentire: Listen to me (=stay here and listen to me carefully)
• Non stare lì a guardare e fai qualcosa: Don’t just stand there gawking and do something