deja de moverte
/dexa de mobeɾte/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'stop moving' is said as deja de moverte.
This phrase is used as a command to tell someone to remain still and not change their position. You may also use the synonym para de moverte to convey the same meaning.
Which one should you use?
While deja de moverte focuses on ceasing the action of movement, the word detente is a more direct command to 'stop' or 'halt' one's progress or motion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In most parts of Spain, Por favor, no te muevas. is used. In most Latin American countries, you will commonly hear No te muevas, por favor. to mean 'Don't move, please.' In Mexico, the specific phrase Quieto, no te me muevas. might be heard, which translates to 'Stay still, don't move.'
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are commanding a group of people, use the plural form dejen de moverse.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American contexts, if you tell a child No te me muevas, the inclusion of the 'me' doesn't mean 'move me'. Instead, it adds a layer of personal involvement or annoyance, suggesting the movement is specifically bothering the speaker.
- The command detente shares a root with the English word ' detention'. Both come from the Latin 'detinere', meaning to hold back or keep someone in a certain place.
- In a high-stakes situation like a police standoff or a tense confrontation, a speaker might use the single word ¡Quieto! instead of a full sentence. This functions similarly to the English command 'Freeze!' and carries a much more authoritative and urgent tone than asking someone to 'stop moving'.
Examples in context
- Deja de moverte.Stop moving.This example shows a simple command to stop moving.Tatoeba #6686416 by arh, translation #2111496 by CK
- ¡Deja de moverte tanto! Haces que la barca cabecee, vamos a acabar volcando.Stop moving around so much! You're making the boat pitch, and we'll end up capsizing.This example uses the phrase to warn that moving too much is affecting the stability of a boat.Tatoeba #979408 by hundo, translation #2573645 by MethodGT
- ¡Oye, para de moverte!Hey, stop moving!
- No te muevas, ¡eh!Don't move, hey!
- Señor, le pido que no se mueva.Sir, I ask you not to move.
- Disculpe, por favor, deténgase.Excuse me, please stop.
- Permanece quieto, por favor.Remain still, please.
- Deja de moverte, que te voy a sacar una foto.Stop moving, I am going to take a photo of you.
Example conversation
Daniel is trying to take a portrait of Lucía in a park.
- DanielLucía, deja de moverte un segundo.Lucía, stop moving for a second.
- LucíaEs que no me siento cómoda con la cámara.It's just that I don't feel comfortable with the camera.
- DanielTranquila, solo será un momento.Relax, it will only be a moment.
- LucíaEstá bien, me quedaré quieta.Okay, I will stay still.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
