How to Say "they detained" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “they detained” is “detuvieron” — use 'detuvieron' when someone is held for questioning or a less formal detention, not necessarily a full arrest and charge..
detuvieron
/deh-tue-VYER-on//detuˈβjeɾon/
Examples
Las autoridades detuvieron al sospechoso cerca de la frontera.
The authorities detained the suspect near the border.
Los oficiales lo detuvieron por conducir sin licencia.
The officers detained him for driving without a license.
The 'Personal A'
When 'detuvieron' means arresting a specific person, you must put the little word 'a' before the person being arrested (e.g., 'detuvieron a Juan').
arrestaron
ah-rreh-STAH-rohn/aresˈtaɾon/
Examples
La policía llegó rápido y arrestaron a los tres sospechosos.
The police arrived quickly and they arrested the three suspects.
¿Quiénes fueron? ¿Ustedes arrestaron al ladrón o fue otro equipo?
Who was it? Did you all arrest the thief or was it another team?
Dicen que los agentes los arrestaron sin darles una explicación.
They say the agents arrested them without giving them an explanation.
The Simple Past (Preterite)
This form, 'arrestaron', is used when talking about a single action that was completed and finished at a specific time in the past. It tells the story of what happened.
Who is 'arrestaron'?
This ending means the action was done by 'ellos' (they, masculine or mixed group), 'ellas' (they, feminine), or 'ustedes' (you all, formal). Context usually tells you which group is meant.
Confusing Past Tenses
Mistake: “Using 'arrestaban' (imperfect) instead of 'arrestaron'.”
Correction: Use 'arrestaron' for a closed, specific event ('They arrested him yesterday'). Use 'arrestaban' only to describe an ongoing or habitual past action ('They used to arrest people often').
Arrestaron vs. Detuvieron
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.