Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| dejar de | /dexaɾ de/ (from spelling rules) |
| parar de | /paɾaɾ de/ (from spelling rules) |
These phrases are used to express the cessation of an activity or habit. While both can be used to mean 'to stop', dejar de is more commonly used to express the cessation of a habit or a continuous action. Related nouns include parada or paradero for a place to get on and off mass transport, and punto or punto final for a punctuation symbol.
Which one should you use?
dejar de is often used for abandoning an activity or habit, whereas parar can be used alone to mean coming to a halt, such as a car or a machine stopping. For example, while both mean 'to stop', dejar de implies abandoning an activity.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, people often say Alto to mean stop.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using dejar de or parar de to mean 'stop doing something', they must be followed by an infinitive verb. dejar de is an inseparable periphrasis when followed by an infinitive. You cannot place an object between dejar and de.
How do you pronounce it?
/dexaɾ de/
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb dejar is an ancient relative of the English words 'lax' and 'laxative'.
- The word paradero is often used to describe the 'whereabouts' of a person, especially if they are missing or being searched for.
- In some contexts, dejar can mean 'to stop' in the sense of 'leaving' a habit, but it can also mean 'to allow' or 'to let', creating a paradox where it means both stopping and permitting.
Examples in context
- Debes dejar de jugar.You need to stop playing.This sentence shows how to use dejar de with an infinitive.Tatoeba #1205369 by cueyayotl, translation #1205344 by Eldad
- No pude parar de reír.I couldn't stop laughing.This sentence demonstrates the use of parar de followed by an infinitive.Tatoeba #1562175 by marcelostockle, translation #461180 by jeanne
- ¿Vas a parar de hablar?Will you stop talking?This sentence shows how to ask a question using parar de.Tatoeba #972488 by hayastan, translation #326571 by CK
- Por favor, deténgase y espere su turno.Please, stop and wait for your turn.
- Pare inmediatamente o enfrentará consecuencias legales.Stop immediately or you will face legal consequences.
- Le ruego que cese sus actividades inmediatamente.I kindly request you to stop your activities immediately.
- ¡Para de hablar y escúchame!Stop talking and listen to me!
- Deja de molestar a tu hermano.Stop bothering your brother.
- Basta de bromas, necesitamos concentrarnos.Stop joking around, we need to focus.
- ¡Alto! No puedes ingresar sin autorización.Stop! You can't enter without authorization.
- 152 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are talking about their bad habits in the kitchen.
- LucíaJavier, debes dejar de comer tanta azúcar.Javier, you must stop eating so much sugar.
- JavierLo sé, Lucía, pero es muy difícil.I know, Lucía, but it is very difficult.
- Lucía¿Vas a dejar de comprar dulces?Are you going to stop buying sweets?
- JavierSí, lo voy a intentar hoy mismo.Yes, I am going to try it today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stop” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, dejar, parar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
