deja de jugar
/dexa de xuɡaɾ/from spelling rules
To say "stop playing games" in Spanish, use deja de jugar.
The phrase deja de jugar is a command used to tell someone to stop behaving in a dishonest or manipulative way. Depending on the context, you might use other related expressions: No juegues conmigo is used when someone is toying with your feelings or being insincere, while Deja de hacer tonterías is used when someone is behaving in an immature or unserious manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form deja de jugar uses the informal singular imperative, which is suitable for addressing friends or peers. If you need to address a group of people, use the plural form dejen de jugar. To specify the person someone is playing games with, you can add the preposition con followed by the person, as in deja de jugar con…
Did you know?
- In certain Spanish-speaking cultures, a specific tone of voice or a wink can transform the serious command deja de jugar into a flirtatious remark.
- The Spanish verb jugar is a distant relative of the English word 'joke', as both descend from the Latin iocus, which means 'a jest'.
- In certain regions, instead of saying deja de jugar, people might say deja de vacilar, which shifts the meaning from 'stop being manipulative' to 'stop teasing me'.
Examples in context
- Deja de jugar conmigo.Stop playing games with me.
- Deja de jugar con sus sentimientos.Stop playing games with her feelings.
- ¡Deja de jugar y dime la verdad!Stop playing games and tell me the truth!
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are arguing about a secret.
- DanielSé que me estás mintiendo, Lucía.I know you are lying to me, Lucía.
- LucíaNo sé de qué estás hablando, Daniel.I don't know what you are talking about, Daniel.
- DanielPor favor, deja de jugar y sé sincera.Please, stop playing games and be honest.
- LucíaEstá bien, te contaré todo ahora.Fine, I will tell you everything now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, deja, jugar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
