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detente

deh-TEN-teh/deˈtente/

Stop!, Wait!

Also: Hold it!
VerbA2irregular (stem-changing, root is detenerse) erneutral to informal
A colorful storybook illustration showing a simplified human figure running quickly and then abruptly stopping mid-stride, leaning back with arms raised, symbolizing a sudden halt.
infinitivedetenerse (to stop oneself, to pause)
gerunddeteniéndose
past Participledetenido

📝 In Action

¡Detente! Hay un coche viniendo.

A2

Stop! There's a car coming.

Detente un momento, necesito atarme los zapatos.

B1

Hold on a moment, I need to tie my shoes.

Si ves algo sospechoso, detente y llama a la policía.

B2

If you see something suspicious, stop and call the police.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • parar (to stop)
  • cesar (to cease)

Common Collocations

  • detente de golpe – stop suddenly
  • detente inmediatamente – stop immediately

protective badge

Also: talismán
NounmC1specialized/formal
A small, square devotional badge (a scapular) made of white and red fabric, featuring a simple, stylized drawing of a heart, pinned onto a piece of clothing.

📝 In Action

Llevaba un detente del Sagrado Corazón en el bolsillo.

C1

He wore a protective badge of the Sacred Heart in his pocket.

El soldado cosió un detente en el interior de su chaqueta para la suerte.

C2

The soldier sewed a protective charm inside his jacket for good luck.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • escapulario (scapular)
  • amuleto (amulet)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/usteddetiene
yodetengo
túdetienes
ellos/ellas/ustedesdetienen
nosotrosdetenemos
vosotrosdetenéis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddetenía
yodetenía
túdetenías
ellos/ellas/ustedesdetenían
nosotrosdeteníamos
vosotrosdeteníais

preterite

él/ella/usteddetuvo
yodetuve
túdetuviste
ellos/ellas/ustedesdetuvieron
nosotrosdetuvimos
vosotrosdetuvisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/usteddetenga
yodetenga
túdetengas
ellos/ellas/ustedesdetengan
nosotrosdetengamos
vosotrosdetengáis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddetuviera/detuviese
yodetuviera/detuviese
túdetuvieras/detuvieses
ellos/ellas/ustedesdetuvieran/detuviesen
nosotrosdetuviéramos/detuviésemos
vosotrosdetuvierais/detuvieseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "detente" in Spanish:

protective badge→talismán→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: detente

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'detente' correctly as a reflexive command?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
detener(to stop, to detain) — Verb
detención(detention, stop) — Noun
detenido(detained; prisoner) — Adjective / Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Detente comes from the Latin verb *detinere*, meaning 'to hold back' or 'to keep'. The Spanish word is the immediate command form of the verb *detener* ('to stop') combined with the reflexive pronoun *te* ('yourself').

First recorded: Appears in Spanish dictionaries referencing the verb form since the late Middle Ages.

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: detenereEnglish: detain

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'detente' the same as 'detén'?

No, but they are related. 'Detén' is the simple command ('Stop [an object or person]!'). 'Detente' is the reflexive command ('Stop yourself!' or 'Pause!'), where the pronoun 'te' is attached to 'detén'.

If I want to politely ask someone to stop, should I use 'detente'?

No. 'Detente' is the informal (tú) command. For a polite or formal command, you should use the Usted form: 'Deténgase' (pronounced: deh-TEN-gah-seh).