Para, por favor
/paɾa poɾ faˈboɾ/word by word
The English phrase "stop it, please" can be translated into Spanish as Para, por favor.
Which one should you use?
While Para is the imperative command form of the verb parar (to stop) for the informal tú person, other forms change depending on who you are addressing. Use Pare, por favor to be formal and Paren, por favor when addressing a group of people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb changes based on the level of formality and the number of people being addressed: use Para, por favor for the informal tú, Pare, por favor for the formal usted and Paren, por favor when addressing a group.
Did you know?
- If a Spanish speaker wants to tell someone to stop doing something annoying, they might use Basta instead of Para, which literally translates to 'enough'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, people might use a hand gesture with the palm facing outward and fingers spread to accompany Para, por favor to emphasize the need for an immediate halt.
- In Spanish, the concept of stopping is often expressed through parar, but if you are stopping a car or a machine, the verb detener is frequently used instead.
Examples in context
- Para, por favor, no hagas más ruido.Stop it, please, don't make any more noise.
- Para, por favor, me estás asustando.Stop it, please, you are scaring me.
- Ya basta. Para, por favor.Enough. Stop it, please.
Example conversation
Javier is teasing Maria during lunch.
- JavierMira qué gracioso soy.Look how funny I am.
- MaríaPara, por favor, Javier.Stop it, please, Javier.
- JavierSolo estoy bromeando.I'm just joking.
- MaríaNo es divertido.It is not funny.
