Inklingo

How to Say "to suspend" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to suspend” is “colgar” — use 'colgar' when you mean to hang something physically, like an object on a wall or a piece of clothing on a hook..

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colgar

/kohl-GAHR//kolˈɡaɾ/

verbA2formal usage
Use 'colgar' when you mean to hang something physically, like an object on a wall or a piece of clothing on a hook.
A bright red coat is suspended from a hook on a coat rack.

Examples

Por favor, cuelga tu abrigo en el perchero.

Please hang your coat on the coat rack.

Vamos a colgar luces de Navidad en el balcón.

We are going to hang Christmas lights on the balcony.

The O to UE Change

In the present tense, the 'o' changes to 'ue' whenever the stress falls on the root of the word (yo, tú, él/ella, ellos/ellas). Remember: 'Nosotros' and 'vosotros' keep the original 'o'.

Spelling Change in the Past

In the 'yo' form of the preterite (simple past), 'colgar' changes to 'colgué' (adding a 'u') to make sure the 'g' keeps its hard sound, like in 'gato'.

interrumpir

/een-teh-rroohm-peer//inteˈrrumpiɾ/

verbB1a process or activity
Use 'interrumpir' when you mean to stop or pause an activity, process, or service temporarily.
A construction site where a brick wall is half-finished. Tools are neatly stacked and unused next to the unfinished section, indicating the building process has been temporarily suspended.

Examples

La caída del sistema interrumpió la transmisión de datos.

The system crash stopped the data transmission.

El gobierno decidió interrumpir las negociaciones de paz.

The government decided to suspend the peace negotiations.

Tuvimos que interrumpir el rodaje de la película por falta de fondos.

We had to halt the filming of the movie due to lack of funds.

Passive Voice

This meaning is often used in the passive voice, especially when discussing technical issues: 'La electricidad fue interrumpida' (The electricity was interrupted/cut off).

Colgar vs. Interrumpir

The most common mistake is using 'colgar' when you mean to stop an activity. Remember, 'colgar' is for physical hanging, while 'interrumpir' is for pausing or stopping something in progress.

Related Translations

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