detención
“detención” means “arrest” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
arrest, detention
Also: apprehension
📝 In Action
La detención del sospechoso ocurrió sin incidentes.
B2The suspect's arrest occurred without incident.
El abogado solicitó la liberación inmediata de su cliente de la detención.
C1The lawyer requested the immediate release of his client from detention.
Hubo una detención preventiva de 48 horas.
B2There was a 48-hour preventative detention (holding).
stop, halt
Also: delay
📝 In Action
La detención del tren duró solo dos minutos.
B1The stopping of the train lasted only two minutes.
El motor sufrió una detención inesperada.
B2The engine suffered an unexpected halt.
Se requirió la detención total de la producción para hacer reparaciones.
B2The complete stop of production was required to make repairs.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "detención" in Spanish:
stop→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: detención
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'detención' in the legal sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from the Latin word *detentionem*, which meant 'the act of holding back or restraining.' It is built from the verb *detinere* (to hold off).
First recorded: Medieval Latin period
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'detención' the same as 'arresto'?
They are very close, but 'detención' (detention) is a broader term for the act of holding someone, often temporarily, while 'arresto' (arrest) is the formal legal procedure of taking someone into custody. You might be in 'detención' before the 'arresto' is formalized.
How do I pronounce the 'c' in 'detención'?
In Spain, the 'c' before 'i' or 'e' sounds like a 'th' (like in 'think'). In most of Latin America, it sounds like an 's' (like in 'sun'). Both are correct!