That's enough
in SpanishBasta
/BAHS-tah/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to say 'that's enough'. Its politeness or harshness depends entirely on your tone of voice.
A simple gesture and a polite 'Basta, gracias' or 'Así está bien' is all you need to say 'that's enough' when being served.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Ya es suficiente
/yah ehs soo-fee-see-EHN-teh/
A full-sentence version that literally means 'It is already sufficient'. It's a very clear and slightly more formal way to express that you've had enough.
Así está bien, gracias
/ah-SEE ehs-TAH bee-EHN, GRAH-see-ahs/
A very common and polite phrase meaning 'Like that is fine, thank you'. It's a soft way to tell someone to stop, for example, when they're serving you food or drink.
Con eso es suficiente
/kohn EH-soh ehs soo-fee-see-EHN-teh/
Meaning 'With that, it's enough'. This is another polite and clear option, very similar to 'Ya es suficiente'.
¡Ya!
/YAH!/
A short, sharp, and very common exclamation. It can mean 'Enough!', 'Stop!', or 'Already!'. Its meaning is heavily dependent on context and tone.
No más, gracias
/noh MAHS, GRAH-see-ahs/
Literally 'No more, thank you'. A simple, polite, and effective phrase.
¡Para ya!
/PAH-rah yah!/
A direct command meaning 'Stop now!'. This is much stronger and more forceful than 'Basta'.
¡Se acabó!
/seh ah-kah-BOH!/
This means 'It's over!' or 'It's finished!'. It's used to declare an end to something, often an argument, a discussion, or a period of tolerance.
Es todo, gracias
/ehs TOH-doh, GRAH-see-ahs/
Means 'That's all, thank you'. While not a direct translation of 'that's enough', it's used in the same context when you're done shopping or ordering.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right way to say 'that's enough' depends heavily on the situation and desired tone. Here's a quick comparison:
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basta | Neutral | General purpose use, when your tone can convey politeness or firmness. | You need to be unambiguously polite; your tone might be misinterpreted. |
| Así está bien, gracias | Informal/Neutral | Politely stopping someone from serving you more food, drink, etc. | You need to be firm or stop a serious negative behavior. |
| ¡Ya! | Informal | Informal situations with friends or family when you're impatient. | Formal settings, speaking to strangers, or when you want to be polite. |
| ¡Se acabó! | Neutral | Dramatically and definitively ending an argument or situation. | Simple situations like refusing more coffee; it's too strong. |
📈Difficulty Level
Very easy for English speakers. 'Basta' is two simple syllables with no difficult sounds.
The most common form, 'Basta', is a single word that doesn't change. The other variations are also simple, fixed phrases.
This is the hardest part. Choosing the right phrase and using the correct tone to match the situation (polite vs. firm vs. angry) requires social awareness and practice.
Key Challenges:
- Controlling tone of voice to convey the right meaning.
- Knowing when to use a soft phrase ('Así está bien') vs. a direct one ('Basta').
💡Examples in Action
El mesero te sirve vino y dices: 'Así está bien, gracias.'
The waiter is serving you wine and you say: 'That's fine like that, thank you.'
Tus hijos están peleando y gritas: '¡Basta ya los dos! ¡A sus cuartos!'
Your children are fighting and you shout: 'That's enough, you two! To your rooms!'
Después de una larga discusión, dices con frustración: '¡Se acabó! No quiero seguir con esto.'
After a long argument, you say with frustration: 'It's over! I don't want to continue with this.'
En la caja del supermercado, el cajero pregunta '¿Algo más?' y respondes: 'No, con eso es suficiente, gracias.'
At the supermarket checkout, the cashier asks 'Anything else?' and you respond: 'No, with that it's enough, thank you.'
🌍Cultural Context
Tone is Everything
The word 'Basta' is a perfect example of how tone changes meaning in Spanish. Said gently with a smile, it's a polite 'that's enough'. Said sharply and loudly, it's an angry 'Stop it!'. Be very mindful of your delivery to avoid sounding rude by accident.
The Power of 'Gracias'
In many service situations, like at a restaurant or market, Spanish speakers will almost always soften a phrase like 'Basta' or 'No más' by adding 'gracias'. It's a small touch that turns a command into a polite request and is considered standard etiquette.
Directness Varies by Region
While 'Basta' is universal, some cultures tend to be more indirect. In places like Mexico or Colombia, you'll more frequently hear softer options like 'Así está bien, gracias'. In Spain or Argentina, a more direct 'Basta' or 'Ya está' is perfectly normal and not considered rude in everyday contexts.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Basta' Too Aggressively
Mistake: "A learner at a nice restaurant tells the waiter '¡Basta!' with a sharp tone when he's pouring water."
Correction: A softer tone, or better yet, 'Así está bien, gracias.'
Saying Just 'Suficiente'
Mistake: "When a server asks if they want more coffee, the learner just says 'Suficiente'."
Correction: 'Es suficiente, gracias' or 'Con eso es suficiente'.
Confusing 'Parar' and 'Basta'
Mistake: "Telling a server pouring wine '¡Para!'"
Correction: 'Basta, gracias' or 'Así está bien'.
💡Pro Tips
When in Doubt, Be Polite
If you're ever unsure which phrase to use, default to the most polite option. 'Así está bien, gracias' or 'No más, gracias' will never be wrong in a service situation and shows respect.
Use '¡Ya!' with Caution
Think of '¡Ya!' as the verbal equivalent of an exclamation point. It adds urgency and often impatience. It's great for close friends and family but can easily offend someone you don't know well.
Combine for Emphasis: 'Basta Ya'
For extra emphasis when you're really fed up, you can combine 'Basta' and 'Ya' into '¡Basta ya!'. This translates to something like 'Enough already!' and is a clear signal that your patience has run out.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards can be quite direct. Using 'Basta' or 'Ya está' is very common and not considered rude in daily interactions. 'Vale ya' is a very common informal exclamation similar to 'Alright, enough already!'.
Mexico
Politeness is often prioritized in service interactions. Softer phrases like 'Así está bien, gracias' or 'Ya con eso, por favor' are extremely common. A sharp '¡Basta!' might be seen as overly harsh in a public setting.
Argentina & Uruguay
Usage is quite direct, similar to Spain. 'Ya está' is incredibly versatile and used constantly to mean 'that's it', 'it's done', or 'that's enough'. 'Listo' (ready/done) is also frequently used to signal completion.
💬What Comes Next?
You tell a server 'Así está bien, gracias.'
Perfecto / De acuerdo / Muy bien.
Perfect / Agreed / Very well.
Gracias.
Thank you.
You tell arguing friends '¡Basta ya!'
Vale, vale, tranquilo/a. / ¿Qué te pasa?
Okay, okay, calm down. / What's wrong with you?
Es que no me gusta cuando pelean.
It's just that I don't like it when you fight.
🧠Memory Tricks
This connects the sound of 'Basta' to a memorable, visual scenario of having 'enough' of something.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, 'that's enough' is a one-size-fits-all phrase. In Spanish, the expression you choose communicates a lot about politeness, formality, and your emotional state. The distinction between stopping a quantity ('Basta') and stopping an action ('¡Para!') is also more explicit than in English, where 'stop' or 'enough' can sometimes be used interchangeably.
The direct translation 'Basta' can be much more forceful than the English 'That's enough'. English speakers often need to learn the softer alternatives like 'Así está bien' to avoid seeming unintentionally rude in polite company.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: In English, you can sometimes just say 'Sufficient.' as a formal response. In Spanish, 'Suficiente' on its own is grammatically incomplete and sounds very strange.
Use instead: Always use it in a phrase like 'Es suficiente' (It is sufficient) or 'Con eso es suficiente' (With that it is sufficient).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'that's all'
This is a related concept often used when shopping or ordering, like 'Es todo, gracias'.
How to say 'stop'
Learning 'para' and 'detente' helps you understand the difference between stopping a quantity ('basta') and stopping motion ('para').
How to say 'no, thank you'
This is another essential polite phrase for declining offers, which is a core function of saying 'that's enough'.
How to say 'I'm full'
A common reason for saying 'that's enough' at the dinner table. Phrases like 'Estoy lleno/a' are the natural next step.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: That's enough
Question 1 of 3
A friendly waiter is pouring you coffee at a café. What is the most polite way to tell them to stop?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'basta' and 'suficiente'?
'Basta' is an interjection or command, like saying 'Enough!'. 'Suficiente' is an adjective meaning 'sufficient' or 'enough'. You use 'basta' on its own, but 'suficiente' needs to be part of a sentence, like 'Es suficiente' (It is enough).
Is it rude to just say 'Basta'?
It depends entirely on your tone. Said softly with a smile and maybe a 'gracias', it's perfectly polite. Said sharply, it can be very rude and sound like an angry command. When in doubt, use a softer phrase like 'Así está bien, gracias'.
How do I say 'enough is enough' in Spanish?
The most common and direct translation is '¡Basta ya!' which carries the same feeling of frustration and finality. You could also say '¡Ya es suficiente!' with a strong, firm tone.
Can I just say 'Ya' to mean 'that's enough'?
Yes, but be careful! '¡Ya!' is very informal and implies impatience. It's best used with friends, family, or children. Using it with a stranger or a server could easily come across as rude.
What's a very formal way to say 'that's enough'?
In a formal or business context, the clearest and most respectful option would be 'Con eso es suficiente, muchas gracias' (With that is sufficient, thank you very much) or 'Le agradezco, ya es suficiente' (I thank you, it is now sufficient).
In Argentina, I heard people say 'listo'. Is that the same?
Yes, in Argentina and some other countries, 'listo' (which means 'ready' or 'done') is very commonly used to mean 'that's enough'. For example, if someone is serving you mate, you can say 'listo, gracias' to signal that you're done.
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