Inklingo

How to Say "they stop" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dejen

DEH-hen (like 'day-hen')ˈde.xen

verbB2general
Use 'dejen' when instructing someone (plural 'you' or 'they') to cease an ongoing action, often implying a command or suggestion in a subjunctive mood.
A large, stylized red hand is raised vertically in the center of the frame, making the universal gesture for 'stop'.

Examples

¡Dejen de hacer ruido! Necesito estudiar.

Stop making noise! I need to study.

¡Dejen de comer dulces! Es hora de cenar.

Stop eating sweets! It's dinner time.

El doctor sugirió que dejen el café por unos días.

The doctor suggested that they quit coffee for a few days.

Stopping an Action

To command someone to stop doing something, you must use 'Dejen de' followed by the verb in the '-ing' form (gerundio): 'Dejen de correr'.

Missing 'de'

Mistake: “Saying 'Dejen comer' (which means 'Allow eating').”

Correction: To mean 'Stop eating', you must include the preposition: 'Dejen de comer'.

detengan

deh-TEHN-gahndeˈten.ɡan

verbA2general
Use 'detengan' to tell someone (plural 'you' or 'they') to halt or bring something to a standstill, especially when it's an external object or a group's 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 el coche inmediatamente!

Stop the car immediately!

¡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).

Action vs. Halt

Learners often confuse 'dejen' and 'detengan' by not distinguishing between ceasing an action ('dejen') and physically halting something or someone ('detengan'). Remember, 'dejen' is about stopping an activity, while 'detengan' is about stopping movement or a process.

Related Translations

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