deja de hacer eso
/dexa de aθeɾ eso/from spelling rules
The English phrase "stop doing that" is translated into Spanish as deja de hacer eso.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to end an action they are currently performing. While deja de hacer eso specifically means to cease an ongoing action, the word para (from the verb *parar*) is also used for "stop" but often implies a complete halt or a pause.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the level of formality, change deja to deje. If you are addressing more than one person, use dejen instead of deja to say dejen de hacer eso. You can also replace eso (that) with the pronoun lo attached to the infinitive to say "stop doing it" as deja de hacerlo.
When do people say it?
When you want to convey annoyance or frustration in an informal setting, you can use the expression Basta ya de eso, which means "That's enough of that."
Did you know?
- The verb hacer shares an ancestral root with the English word 'fact'. Both trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁-, which carries the fundamental meaning of 'to do' or 'to make'.
- The word deja comes from the verb dejar, which primarily means 'to leave' or 'to let'. In this phrase, it describes the act of 'leaving' a behavior behind.
- In high-stress or frustrating moments, Spanish speakers often condense the command to a single word, ¡Basta!, which functions like the English 'Enough!'
Examples in context
- Deja de hacer eso.Stop doing that.Tatoeba #6682439 by arh, translation #1849364 by CK
- ¡Deja de hacer eso!Stop doing that!Tatoeba #9763780 by Shishir, translation #7948150 by AlanF_US
- Deja de interrumpirme, por favor.Stop interrupting me, please.
- Disculpe, le ruego que deje de fumar aquí.Excuse me, I request that you stop smoking here.
- Basta ya de hacer ruido.That's enough of making noise.
- Por favor, deje de usar mi escritorio.Please stop using my desk.
- Deja de hacer eso ahora mismo.Stop doing that right now.
Example conversation
Sofía is playing with Javier's phone while he is trying to work.
- JavierSofía, deja de hacer eso.Sofía, stop doing that.
- SofíaSolo estoy mirando tus fotos.I'm just looking at your photos.
- JavierNo me gusta que lo hagas.I don't like you doing that.
- SofíaEstá 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, eso, hacer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
