deja de preguntar
/dexa de pɾeɡuntaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'stop asking' is translated into Spanish as deja de preguntar.
This phrase is used as a command to tell someone to no longer ask questions about a particular topic. While deja de preguntar implies the cessation of an action that is currently ongoing, the alternative no preguntes (don't ask) acts as a simple prohibition against the act of asking.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb deja (stop/leave), the preposition de (of/from) and the infinitive preguntar (to ask).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on who you are addressing. Use the singular imperative deja for one person informally, but use the polite deje for one person formally. To tell a group of people to stop asking, use the plural imperative dejen in dejen de preguntar. If you want to specify that the person should stop asking *you*, add the indirect object pronoun me to the end of the infinitive to get deja de preguntarme.
Did you know?
- While preguntar means 'to ask' a question, Spanish uses a different verb, pedir, when 'asking' for an object or a favor. You cannot say deja de pedir to tell someone to stop asking questions.
- In highly informal settings, speakers may replace deja de with para de, using the verb parar (to stop) to sound more urgent or blunt.
- The verb preguntar is a descendant of the Latin 'percontari', a more formal and intense way of inquiring than the modern common word for 'ask'.
Examples in context
- Por favor, deje de preguntar. Estoy tratando de concentrarme en la presentación.Please stop asking. I'm trying to focus on the presentation.
- Ya, basta de preguntar lo mismo una y otra vez. No quiero hablar de eso ahora.Okay, enough of asking the same thing over and over again. I don't want to talk about it right now.
- Deja de preguntar sobre mi trabajo.Stop asking about my job.
- ¡Deja de preguntar cosas tan raras!Stop asking such weird things!
- Por favor, deja de preguntar por ella.Please, stop asking about her.
Example conversation
María is trying to study and Javier keeps interrupting her.
- María¿A qué hora terminarás?What time will you finish?
- JavierSolo tengo curiosidad.I'm just curious.
- María¡Deja de preguntar, Javier!Stop asking, Javier!
- JavierEstá bien, lo siento.Okay, I'm sorry.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, deja, preguntar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
