Inklingo

How to Say "cease" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cese

SAY-sayˈθese

verbB1formal
Use 'cese' when you want to formally express the idea of something stopping or coming to an end, often referring to ongoing actions, states, or phenomena.
A colorful toy spinning top lying motionless on its side on a wooden floor.

Examples

Esperamos que el cese de las hostilidades sea inminente.

We hope that the cessation of hostilities is imminent.

Espero que cese el ruido pronto.

I hope the noise stops soon.

Dudo que el viento cese esta noche.

I doubt the wind will cease tonight.

Cese usted de gritar immediately.

Stop shouting immediately (formal command).

The 'Special Form' for Wishes

The word 'cese' is used as a special verb form (present subjunctive) when you are wishing for something to stop, like 'Espero que cese la lluvia' (I hope the rain stops).

Formal Commands

To tell someone politely to stop doing something, use 'Cese de...' followed by the action. For example: 'Cese de fumar' (Stop smoking).

Preposition Use

Mistake: “Cese gritar.”

Correction: Cese DE gritar.

parad

pah-RAHDpaˈɾað

verbA2command
Use 'parad' as a direct, imperative command meaning 'stop!' when addressing multiple people informally or one person formally (ustedes). It's a strong instruction to halt an action immediately.
A simplified illustration showing two people running outdoors. The person in front has stopped abruptly and holds up their hand with the palm facing the second runner, signaling them to halt.

Examples

¡Parad de hablar y escuchadme!

Stop talking and listen to me!

¡Parad inmediatamente! Hay un peligro más adelante.

Stop immediately! There is danger ahead.

Chicos, parad de gritar, por favor.

Kids, stop shouting, please.

Si estáis cansados, parad un momento y bebed agua.

If you are tired, stop a moment and drink water.

The 'You All' Command

'Parad' is the command form for 'vosotros' (you all, informal). This form is used when giving an order or instruction to a group of friends or peers, primarily in Spain.

Affirmative vs. Negative

This is an affirmative command ('Do this'). If you want to tell them 'Don't stop,' you must use the subjunctive form: 'No paréis'.

Using 'ar' ending incorrectly

Mistake: “Using *parais* instead of *parad* for the command.”

Correction: The *vosotros* command for -ar verbs always ends in -d (e.g., *hablad, mirad, parad*). The form *paráis* is the present tense statement ('You all stop').

Command vs. Formal Stopping

The most common mistake is using 'cese' when a direct command like '¡parad!' is needed, or vice versa. Remember that 'parad' is a direct order to stop an action, while 'cese' is a more formal noun or verb form referring to the act of stopping itself.

Related Translations

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