deja de ladrar
/dexa de ladɾaɾ/from spelling rules
The phrase "stop barking" in Spanish is deja de ladrar.
This phrase is used as a command to tell a dog to stop making loud barking noises.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of deja (stop/leave), de (from/of) and ladrar (to bark).
Which one should you use?
You can also use the verb parar to say para de ladrar.
How does it change in a sentence?
The command deja de ladrar uses the informal imperative form of the verb dejar. To use the polite imperative form, change deja to deje to get deje de ladrar. If you are addressing multiple dogs or multiple people commanding dogs, use the plural form dejen to say dejen de ladrar.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb ladrar is used figuratively to describe a person who makes empty threats or yells without taking any action.
- While deja de ladrar is the literal command, many Spanish speakers simply shout ¡Ya! to tell a dog to stop its behavior immediately.
- The verb ladrar shares its Latin ancestor, 'latrare', with the rare English verb 'latrate', which also means to bark.
Examples in context
- Deja de ladrar, Max. Buen perro.Stop barking, Max. Good dog.
- Deje de ladrar, por favor. Necesitamos que se concentre.Stop barking, please. We need you to focus.
- No ladres más, Luna. Ven aquí y te daremos una galleta.Don't bark anymore, Luna. Come here, and we'll give you a treat.
- ¡Deja de ladrar ahora mismo!Stop barking right now!
- Por favor, deja de ladrar, que no puedo dormir.Please, stop barking, I can't sleep.
- Deja de ladrar, perro, que asustas a los vecinos.Stop barking, dog, you are scaring the neighbors.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are at home trying to relax in the living room.
- Javier¡Deja de ladrar, Toby!Stop barking, Toby!
- ElenaNo le hace caso a nadie.He doesn't listen to anyone.
- JavierEs muy difícil calmarlo.It is very hard to calm him down.
- ElenaPobre Javier, qué estrés.Poor Javier, what stress.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, deja, ladrar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
