What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from deja (stop/leave), de (from), jugar (to play) and conmigo (with me).
Which one should you use?
You may also use the informal versions Para de jugar conmigo or No sigas jugando conmigo to express a desire for someone to stop playing with you.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Deja de jugar conmigo, por favor is commonly used in informal settings. In Argentina, the phrase Dejá de joderme is used to mean "Stop bothering me" in the context of someone playing with you. In Spain, the expression Deja de tocarme las narices is an expression that means "Stop bothering me".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form deja de jugar conmigo uses the informal singular imperative, used when speaking to one person you know well. If you are telling a group of people to stop playing with you, you should use dejen de jugar conmigo.
Did you know?
- In Spain, you might express being 'played with' by using a bizarre anatomical reference. The phrase Deja de tocarme las narices uses the word for 'nostrils' to express that someone is bothering or annoying you.
- In Argentina, the phrase Dejá de joderme is often used instead of deja de jugar conmigo. The word joder is far more vulgar than the English 'playing with me' and is closer to a stronger English swear word.
- The English word 'joke' and the Spanish verb jugar share the same ancient roots. They both stem from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'play' or 'jest'.
Examples in context
- Oye, para de jugar conmigo. No es divertido.Hey, stop playing with me. It's not funny.
- Ya basta, no sigas jugando conmigo. No tienes que hacer esto para llamar mi atención.Enough already, stop playing with me. You don't have to do this to get my attention.
- Deja de jugar conmigo y dime la verdad.Stop playing with me and tell me the truth.
- No me gusta esto, deja de jugar conmigo.I don't like this, stop playing with me.
- ¡Oye! Deja de jugar conmigo, estoy hablando en serio.Hey! Stop playing with me, I am being serious.
Example conversation
María is frustrated because Javier is making jokes during a serious discussion.
- MaríaJavier, por favor, deja de jugar conmigo.Javier, please, stop playing with me.
- JavierSolo estoy bromeando un poco, María.I am only joking a little, María.
- MaríaNo es gracioso, no quiero bromas ahora.It is not funny, I do not want jokes right now.
- JavierEstá bien, te tomo en serio.Okay, I am taking you seriously.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries conmigo, de, deja, jugar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
