deja de mentir
/dexa de mentiɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "stop lying" is translated into Spanish as deja de mentir.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to be honest and quit telling falsehoods.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of deja (stop/leave), de (of) and mentir (to lie).
Which one should you use?
The phrase deja de mentir uses the imperative of dejar (to leave/let), whereas para de mentir is also a common way to say "stop lying" using parar (to stop).
How does it change in a sentence?
To tell a group of people to stop lying, use the plural form dejen de mentir. You can also say "stop lying to him/her" by adding the indirect object pronoun le to the end of the phrase, resulting in deja de mentirle.
Did you know?
- When someone is caught lying, a Spanish speaker might sarcastically say ¿me estás tomando el pelo?, which means 'are you pulling my leg'.
- The root of mentir is also found in the word 'mendacious', an English adjective meaning dishonest.
- In some Spanish speaking cultures, a 'white lie' is called mentira piada, which implies the lie is told to avoid hurting someone's feelings.
Examples in context
- Por favor, deja de mentir.Please stop lying.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase deja de mentir.Tatoeba #8305814 by GuidoW, translation #5388606 by Hybrid
- Deja de mentir sobre tu edad.Stop lying about your age.
- ¡Deja de mentir, sé honesto!Stop lying, be honest!
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are arguing about a broken vase.
- JavierYo no rompí el florero, Elena.I didn't break the vase, Elena.
- Elena¡Deja de mentir, Javier! Yo te vi.Stop lying, Javier! I saw you.
- JavierEstás equivocada, no fue así.You are mistaken, it wasn't like that.
- ElenaYa basta, admite que fue un accidente.Enough, admit that it was an accident.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, deja, mentir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
