Inklingo

How to Say "stop" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “stop” is “parada” — use this word for a designated place where public transport like buses or metros stops, or for a brief pause in an activity or journey..

parada🔊A1

Use this word for a designated place where public transport like buses or metros stops, or for a brief pause in an activity or journey.

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pare🔊A1

Use this as a polite, formal command to tell one person or a vehicle to cease moving.

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paren🔊A1

Use this as a direct command to multiple people (ustedes) to cease an action or movement.

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párateA1

Use this informal command to tell one person to stop moving or halt.

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deténA2

Use this informal command to tell one person to stop moving or performing an action.

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deténgaseA2

Use this formal command to tell one person or a vehicle to stop moving.

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detengan🔊A2

Use this command to tell multiple people (ustedes) to stop an action or movement.

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dejateA2

Use 'deja de' + infinitive to tell someone informally to stop doing something.

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parad🔊A2

Use this informal command to tell a group of people (vosotros) to stop an action or movement.

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alto🔊B1

Use this word to refer to a pause or break during a journey or an activity.

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detenciónB1

This refers to the act or process of halting movement, often used in formal contexts like traffic stops or police actions.

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detenga🔊B1

Use this subjunctive form as a command or wish, often in more formal or technical contexts, to indicate that something should stop.

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deténganseB1

Use this command to tell a group of people (ustedes) to stop moving or cease an activity.

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English → Spanish

parada

/pah-RAH-dah//paˈɾaða/

nounA1
Use this word for a designated place where public transport like buses or metros stops, or for a brief pause in an activity or journey.
A vibrant illustration of a bus stop sign marked by a simple pole and sign, indicating a public transport halt.

Examples

La parada de autobús está justo aquí al lado.

The bus stop is right next door here.

¿Dónde está la parada de taxis más cercana?

Where is the nearest taxi stand?

Hagamos una parada para comer algo antes de seguir el camino.

Let's make a stop to eat something before continuing the journey.

El vuelo tiene una parada de tres horas en Madrid.

The flight has a three-hour layover in Madrid.

Gender Reminder

Even though it ends in 'a', remember that this word is feminine, so you always use 'la parada' or 'una parada'.

Common Verb Partner

The most frequent way to use this meaning is with the verb 'hacer' (to do/make): 'hacer una parada'.

pare

PAH-reh/pa.ɾe/

verbA1formal
Use this as a polite, formal command to tell one person or a vehicle to cease moving.
A storybook illustration showing a person standing on a road with their hand held up, palm facing forward, signaling a brightly colored car to halt its movement immediately.

Examples

Por favor, pare el coche frente al banco.

Please, stop the car in front of the bank.

Señorita, pare aquí, hemos llegado.

Miss, stop here, we have arrived.

Formal Command (Usted)

When you want to give a command formally (to someone you call 'Usted'), you use the same form as the 'él/ella/usted' version of the present subjunctive. This is why 'pare' is used here.

Using the wrong command form

Mistake: “Using 'para' (the informal command) when speaking to a boss or elder: 'Jefe, para aquí.'”

Correction: Use 'pare' for formal situations: 'Jefe, pare aquí.' The choice depends on your relationship with the person.

paren

PAHR-ehn/'pa.ɾen/

verbA1
Use this as a direct command to multiple people (ustedes) to cease an action or movement.
A simple drawing showing three figures walking along a path. The leading figure has stopped and holds one hand out in front of them with an open palm, signaling the other two figures to halt.

Examples

¡Paren! No crucen la calle sin mirar.

Stop! Don't cross the street without looking.

Señores, paren el motor inmediatamente.

Gentlemen, stop the engine immediately.

Paren de hacer ruido, por favor.

Stop making noise, please.

A Command for Many People

"Paren" is the command form used when you are giving an order or instruction to a group of people (ustedes).

Regular Verb Pattern

Since 'parar' is a regular -ar verb, its command form follows the pattern of the subjunctive mood, which makes it easy to remember.

Using the wrong ending for commands

Mistake: “Using 'paran' (present tense) instead of 'paren' (command form) for an order.”

Correction: Say '¡Paren! (Stop!)' not '¡Paran!'. The '-en' ending is required for plural commands.

párate

verbA1informal
Use this informal command to tell one person to stop moving or halt.

Examples

¡Párate un momento, por favor!

Stop for a moment, please!

detén

verbA2informal
Use this informal command to tell one person to stop moving or performing an action.

Examples

¡Detén el coche, hay un perro en la calle!

Stop the car, there is a dog in the street!

deténgase

verbA2formal
Use this formal command to tell one person or a vehicle to stop moving.

Examples

¡Deténgase! No puede cruzar la línea amarilla.

Stop! You cannot cross the yellow line.

detengan

/deh-TEHN-gahn//deˈten.ɡan/

verbA2
Use this command to tell multiple people (ustedes) to stop an action or movement.
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 is 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).

dejate

verbA2informal
Use 'deja de' + infinitive to tell someone informally to stop doing something.

Examples

¡Deja de hacer ruido!

Stop making noise!

parad

/pah-RAHD//paˈɾað/

verbA2informal
Use this informal command to tell a group of people (vosotros) to stop an action or movement.
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 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').

alto

/al-toh//ˈalto/

nounB1
Use this word to refer to a pause or break during a journey or an activity.
A car pulled over safely next to a large tree on a road, with two people outside stretching and taking a break from their journey.

Examples

Hicimos un alto en el camino para comer.

We made a stop on the way to eat.

La policía le dio el alto al coche.

The police ordered the car to halt.

En la carretera, hay una señal de alto.

On the road, there is a stop sign.

detención

nounB1formal
This refers to the act or process of halting movement, often used in formal contexts like traffic stops or police actions.

Examples

La detención del tren duró solo dos minutos.

The stopping of the train lasted only two minutes.

detenga

/deh-TENG-gah//deˈteŋ.ɡa/

verbB1formal
Use this subjunctive form as a command or wish, often in more formal or technical contexts, to indicate that something should stop.
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.)

deténganse

verbB1
Use this command to tell a group of people (ustedes) to stop moving or cease an activity.

Examples

¡Deténganse! No pueden cruzar por aquí.

Stop! You cannot cross through here.

Command Forms vs. Nouns

Learners often confuse the verb forms used for commands (like 'pare', 'detén') with nouns that mean 'a stop' (like 'parada', 'alto'). Remember that commands tell someone to do something, while nouns refer to the pause or the place itself.

Related Translations

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