deja de hablar español
/dexa de ablaɾ espaɲol/from spelling rules
To say "stop speaking Spanish" in Spanish, use deja de hablar español.
This phrase is a command used to tell someone to no longer use the Spanish language while talking.
What does it mean word for word?
The construction deja de followed by an infinitive is the standard way in Spanish to express the idea of "stop doing" something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can change depending on how many people you are addressing. The form dejen de hablar español is used when you are commanding a group of people to stop speaking Spanish. Additionally, the command can be made more formal or informal by switching between the imperative forms deja and deje.
Did you know?
- The term español is a distant relative of the Hebrew word שָׁפָן (shaphan). This connection arises because the word 'Hispaniolus' may have been a back-formation intended to mimic a Punic word for the 'coast of hyraxes'.
Examples in context
- Por favor, deje de hablar español. Sería posible continuar en otro idioma?Please stop speaking Spanish. Would it be possible to continue in another language?
- Le ruego que hable en otro idioma, ya que no comprendo el español.I beg you to speak in another language as I do not understand Spanish.
- Oye, deja de hablar en español, ¿sí? Me gustaría poder entender lo que están diciendo.Hey, stop speaking in Spanish, okay? I would like to be able to understand what you're saying.
- Deja de hablar español ahora.Stop speaking Spanish now.
- Por favor, deja de hablar español.Please, stop speaking Spanish.
- ¡Deja de hablar español en clase!Stop speaking Spanish in class!
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are in a library where English is the rule.
- ElenaJavier, deja de hablar español.Javier, stop speaking Spanish.
- JavierLo siento, Elena, se me olvidó.I'm sorry, Elena, I forgot.
- ElenaDebemos practicar nuestro inglés aquí.We must practice our English here.
- JavierTienes razón, hablaré en inglés.You are right, I will speak in English.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, deja, español, hablar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
