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How to Say "to halt" in Spanish

English → Spanish

arrestar

ah-rrehs-TAHR/a.resˈtaɾ/

verbC1formal
Use 'arrestar' when you want to stop the progress or advancement of something, like a disease or a project.
A large, solid gray wall successfully blocking the forceful forward movement of a stylized blue wave, illustrating the stopping of progress.

Examples

Los médicos intentaron arrestar el avance de la enfermedad.

The doctors tried to halt the advance of the disease.

El gobierno debe arrestar el deterioro del sistema educativo.

The government must check the deterioration of the educational system.

Formal Usage

This meaning is usually found in written reports, scientific papers, or very formal speeches. In everyday conversation, you would typically use 'parar' or 'detener' instead.

detenerme

/deh-teh-NEHR-meh//deteˈneɾme/

verbA2formal or military context
Use 'detener(se)' when you need to stop yourself or someone else from moving or continuing an action, often in a more direct or personal sense.
A cartoon figure running quickly who has suddenly stopped, leaning back slightly with feet planted firmly on the ground, showing a clear halt in physical movement.

Examples

Necesito detenerme un momento para beber agua.

I need to stop myself for a moment to drink water.

No pude detenerme antes de chocar contra la pared.

I couldn't stop myself before hitting the wall.

¿Por qué no quieres detenerme cuando hablo demasiado?

Why don't you want to stop me when I talk too much?

Reflexive Action

The 'me' at the end tells you that 'I' am doing the action to 'myself'. If you want someone else to stop, you drop the 'me' and use a different pronoun, like 'detenerte' (to stop yourself, singular).

Placement Rule

When using an infinitive (the base form of the verb, like 'detener'), you can attach the pronoun ('me') to the end, or you can place it before the conjugated verb: 'Quiero detenerme' is the same as 'Me quiero detener'.

Forgetting the Reflexive

Mistake: “Voy a detener el coche.”

Correction: Voy a detenerme (if you mean stopping *yourself*, not the car). 'Detener' without the 'me' usually means stopping an outside object or person.

Stopping a process vs. Stopping yourself

Learners often confuse 'arrestar' and 'detener'. Remember that 'arrestar' is for stopping the progression of something abstract or a situation, while 'detener' is more about physically stopping an action or movement.

Related Translations

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