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How to Say "to pause" in Spanish

English → Spanish

detener

deh-teh-NEHRde.teˈneɾ

verbA2
Use 'detener' when you want to stop an action or a process, often implying a more formal or complete halt than just taking a short break.
A cartoon runner is shown abruptly stopping their movement, planting one foot firmly on the ground and holding their hands up in a clear halting gesture.

Examples

El tren debe detener en la próxima estación.

The train must stop at the next station.

Me detuve a mirar el escaparate.

I stopped myself to look at the shop window.

El coche se detuvo de repente.

The car stopped suddenly.

Detente, necesito hablar contigo.

Stop, I need to talk to you.

The Reflexive 'Se'

When you add 'se' to 'detener' (detenerse), it means the subject is stopping itself. Remember to use the matching pronoun (me, te, nos, etc.) before the verb.

Imperative Pronoun Placement

Mistake: “Saying 'Te detén' for 'Stop!'”

Correction: In affirmative commands, the pronoun attaches to the end of the verb: 'Detente.' In negative commands, it goes before: 'No te detengas.'

detenerse

deh-teh-NEHR-mehdeteˈneɾme

verbA2
Use 'detenerse' when referring to yourself stopping or taking a break, often implying a temporary interruption of your own activity.
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.

detenerte

deh-teh-NEHR-tehdeteˈnerte

verbA2informal
Use 'detenerte' when telling someone else (tú form) to stop or pause their action, especially before proceeding with something else.
A person coming to a complete stop on a forest path.

Examples

Tienes que detenerte antes de cruzar la calle.

You have to stop (yourself) before crossing the street.

No puedes detenerte ahora, ¡estás casi terminando!

You can't stop now, you're almost finished!

The 'te' at the end

The 'te' attached to the end of 'detener' tells us the action is happening to 'you'. It's like saying 'to stop yourself'.

When to use this form

Use this specific 'to' form after words like 'need' (necesitas), 'want' (quieres), or 'must' (debes).

The 'te' position

Mistake: “No puedes te detener.”

Correction: No puedes detenerte (or 'No te puedes detener'). The 'te' must either stick to the end of the action word or go before the main helping verb.

Reflexive Pronouns and 'To Pause'

The most common mistake is not using the reflexive pronoun ('me', 'te', 'se') when the subject is pausing their own action. 'Detener' alone means to stop something else, while 'detenerse' or 'detenerte' means to stop oneself.

Related Translations

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