deténgase
deh-TEN-gah-seh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
¡Deténgase! No puede cruzar la línea amarilla.
A2Stop! You cannot cross the yellow line.
Por favor, deténgase un momento y escuche mi explicación.
B1Please, stop for a moment and listen to my explanation.
El oficial le gritó: '¡Deténgase inmediatamente o abro fuego!'
B2The officer yelled at him: 'Stop immediately or I'll open fire!'
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Commands and the 'You' (Usted) Form
Deténgase is how you give a direct command to someone you address formally (Usted). It uses a special verb form that also appears when expressing wishes or desires.
Reflexive Action: Stopping 'Yourself'
Because the verb is detenerse (to stop oneself), the 'se' (meaning 'yourself') must be attached directly to the end of the positive command. This is why the word is so long!
Why the Accent Mark?
The accent mark on the 'é' is necessary to keep the stress on the correct syllable (de-TÉN-ga-se). Without it, the stress would incorrectly fall on the third-to-last syllable.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Formal and Informal
Mistake: "Using '¡Deténgase!' with a friend you call 'tú'."
Correction: Use '¡Detente!' (informal) for friends. Save '¡Deténgase!' for formal situations, like talking to an elder or a police officer.
Forgetting the 'se' when stopping movement
Mistake: "¡Detenga el coche!"
Correction: ¡Deténgase! (If you mean 'stop yourself/pull over'). If you say 'detenga el coche,' it means 'detain the car,' which is less natural than telling the driver to stop.
⭐ Usage Tips
Traffic Signs
In many Spanish-speaking countries, traffic signs that mean 'STOP' often use the simpler word 'PARE' instead of 'Deténgase,' but 'Deténgase' is the command you hear from authorities.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: deténgase
Question 1 of 2
Which of these situations requires the use of the formal command 'deténgase'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between '¡Detente!' and '¡Deténgase!'?
They both mean 'Stop!' but they are used for different people. '¡Detente!' is the informal command you use with friends, family, or children (tú). '¡Deténgase!' is the formal command you use with strangers, authorities, or in official settings (Usted).
Why does the word have 'se' at the end?
The 'se' tells us that the person is stopping *themselves*. The verb 'detenerse' is reflexive, meaning the subject and the object are the same. In positive commands, this little word is always attached to the end of the verb.