Inklingo

How to Say "hold up" in Spanish

English → Spanish

detenga

deh-TENG-gahdeˈteŋ.ɡa

VerbB1General
Use 'detenga' when you need to tell someone to stop or cause something to stop, often with a sense of urgency or command, like halting a vehicle or activity.
A high-quality, simple storybook illustration of a single human hand raised with the palm facing forward, performing the universal gesture to signal 'stop.'

Examples

Es crucial que el tren se detenga antes del cruce.

It is crucial that the train stop before the crossing.

No detenga el proceso; siga trabajando.

Don't stop the process; keep working.

El presidente pidió que nadie detenga las negociaciones.

The president asked that no one hold up the negotiations.

Subjunctive Use

The form 'detenga' is used after expressions of desire, necessity, or emotion (e.g., 'Quiero que...' or 'Es necesario que...'). It expresses uncertainty or influence.

Formal Command

When giving a formal instruction to 'Usted' (formal you), 'detenga' is the affirmative command, and 'no detenga' is the negative command.

Misusing the Base Verb

Mistake: “Espero que la policía lo detiene.”

Correction: Espero que la policía lo detenga. (The wish/hope triggers the special subjunctive form.)

detengan

deh-TEHN-gahndeˈten.ɡan

verbA2General
Use 'detengan' to refer to causing a delay or interruption, often implying an external action that halts progress, such as stopping music or a process.
A stylized image of a large, open human hand held up facing forward, acting as a barrier. A small, simplified car is approaching the hand but is clearly stopping right before it.

Examples

¡Detengan la música! Es demasiado tarde.

Stop the music! It's too late.

Es crucial que detengan el coche antes de la curva.

It is crucial that they stop the car before the curve.

No permitan que estas dificultades los detengan.

Don't let these difficulties hold you (formal plural) back.

Formal Plural Command

"Detengan" is the formal way (using 'ustedes') to tell a group of people to stop doing something. It comes directly from the special verb form used for wishes and commands.

Subjunctive Use

When used as 'they stop,' it appears after phrases expressing desire, necessity, doubt, or emotion, like 'Quiero que...' (I want that...) or 'Es necesario que...' (It is necessary that...).

Confusing Formal Command

Mistake: “Using *detienen* (the indicative form) for a command: ¡Detienen el carro!”

Correction: Use the command form: ¡Detengan el carro! (The verb form changes when you give an order or instruction).

Stopping vs. Delaying

Learners often confuse these when the English 'hold up' could mean 'stop' or 'delay'. Remember that 'detenga' is more about the act of stopping, while 'detengan' can imply causing a delay or interrupting something already in progress.

Related Translations

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