Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| dejar de | /dexaɾ de/ (from spelling rules) |
| parar de | /paɾaɾ de/ (from spelling rules) |
The primary meaning of these phrases is to not continue an action. You can also use the formal verb detenerse when referring to coming to a complete stop or halting an action. In an informal context, if you want to tell someone to stop doing something, you might say Déjalo, which translates to 'let it' or 'leave it'.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb dejar literally means 'to let' or 'to leave', so the construction dejar de functions as a phrasal verb meaning to cease an action.
Which one should you use?
While these two are often interchangeable, dejar de frequently implies a permanent cessation or quitting a habit. In contrast, parar de can imply a temporary interruption of an ongoing action. Furthermore, use the verb parar on its own (without 'de') to mean 'to halt' or 'to come to a standstill', such as a car stopping, whereas dejar de is used for stopping an activity.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, alto is commonly used to mean stop.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both dejar de and parar de must be followed by an infinitive to mean 'stop doing' an action.
How do you pronounce it?
/dexaɾ de/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Debes dejar de jugar.You need to stop playing.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of dejar de to mean stop doing an activity.Tatoeba #1205369 by cueyayotl, translation #1205344 by Eldad
- No pude parar de reír.I couldn't stop laughing.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of parar de to mean stop doing an activity.Tatoeba #1562175 by marcelostockle, translation #461180 by jeanne
- ¿Vas a parar de hablar?Will you stop talking?Tatoeba #972488 by hayastan, translation #326571 by CK
- Por favor, pare el cochePlease, stop the car
- Por favor, deténgase aquíPlease, stop here
- El evento cesará en cinco minutosThe event will stop in five minutes
- ¡Para de hacer eso!Stop doing that!
- ¡Déjalo, por favor!Stop it, please!
- ¡Basta, ya no quiero jugar!Enough, I don't want to play anymore!
- ¡Alto! No cruces la calleStop! Don't cross the street
- 152 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing his bad habit.
- LucíaJavier, debes dejar de beber tanto café.Javier, you must stop drinking so much coffee.
- JavierEs difícil dejar de tomarlo por la mañana.It is hard to stop having it in the morning.
- LucíaPero te hace daño.But it is hurting you.
- JavierTienes razón, lo intentaré.You are right, I will try.
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.
