detengan
“detengan” means “stop” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
stop, they stop
Also: hold up, check
📝 In Action
¡Detengan la música! Es demasiado tarde.
A2Stop the music! It's too late.
Es crucial que detengan el coche antes de la curva.
B1It is crucial that they stop the car before the curve.
No permitan que estas dificultades los detengan.
B2Don't let these difficulties hold you (formal plural) back.
detain, arrest
📝 In Action
La policía ha pedido que detengan a los sospechosos de inmediato.
B1The police have asked that they detain the suspects immediately.
¡Detengan al ladrón! No dejen que escape.
B2Detain the thief! Don't let him escape.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: detengan
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'detengan' as a direct command?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Formed from the prefix 'de-' (meaning down or away) and the Latin verb *tenere* (to hold). Thus, the core meaning is 'to hold back' or 'to keep down,' which evolved into 'to stop' or 'to detain.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'detengan' used instead of 'paren'?
'Paren' (from parar) is the most common, general way to say 'stop.' 'Detengan' (from detener) often implies a more forceful, official, or prolonged stop, like stopping a criminal, halting a machine, or delaying an action. It carries a slightly more formal weight.
Is 'detengan' a present tense verb?
Yes, but it belongs to the 'Present Subjunctive' mood, which is a special verb form used not for stating facts (like the regular present tense), but for expressing wishes, commands, doubt, or necessity. It is also the form used for formal plural commands ('ustedes').