hör auf zu bellen
To say "stop barking" in German, use hör auf zu bellen.
This phrase is a command used to tell a dog to cease making loud barking noises. You can modify the tone by adding certain words: adding bitte makes the command sound more polite, while adding endlich expresses a stronger desire for the barking to stop.
Which one should you use?
While hör auf zu bellen specifically targets the ongoing action of barking, the shorter phrase Hör auf! is a more general and abrupt command to stop whatever is happening.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving a command to a single subject like a dog or a child, use the singular imperative hör auf. If you are addressing multiple dogs at once, you should use the plural imperative hört auf zu bellen.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Hör auf zu bellen, Bello!Stop barking, Bello!
- Bitte hör auf zu bellen.Please stop barking.
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are trying to sleep, but their dog is being loud.
- SarahMaximilian, der Hund ist so laut.Maximilian, the dog is so loud.
- MaximilianHör auf zu bellen, kleiner Hund!Stop barking, little dog!
- SarahEs hilft nicht, er hört nicht auf.It doesn't help, he won't stop.
- MaximilianIch versuche es noch einmal.I will try one more time.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auf, bellen, zu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
