deja de tontear
/dexa de tonteaɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "stop playing around" is translated as deja de tontear.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to stop behaving in a silly or frivolous way and to be serious. While tontear can mean to flirt or act silly, in this command context, it specifically functions as a way to tell someone to stop being frivolous and start being serious.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of deja de (stop/leave off) and tontear (to act like a fool or to toy around).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form deja de tontear uses the informal imperative deja, which is used when addressing one person you know well. To use this command with a single person in a formal or respectful manner, use deje de tontear. To tell a group of people to stop playing around, use the plural imperative dejen de tontear.
Did you know?
- While deja de tontear is common in Spain, speakers in Mexico and other Latin American countries are more likely to use the phrase deja de jugar to mean 'stop playing around'.
- The word tontear has a romantic double meaning and is commonly used to describe flirting or playing the field without seeking a serious relationship.
- The root of tontear is tonto, which in some Spanish-speaking cultures can be a mild, affectionate term for a clumsy person rather than a harsh insult.
Examples in context
- Deja de tontear y ponte a trabajar.Stop playing around and get to work.
- ¡Deja de tontear con la comida!Stop playing around with your food!
- Por favor, deja de tontear y escúchame.Please, stop playing around and listen to me.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are trying to finish a school project.
- SofíaJavier, deja de tontear con el teléfono.Javier, stop playing around with the phone.
- JavierSolo estoy mirando un video corto.I'm just watching a short video.
- SofíaTenemos que terminar el trabajo ahora.We have to finish the work now.
- JavierEstá bien, ya me pongo serio.Alright, I'll be serious now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
