توقف عن ذلك
tawaqqaf 'an dhalik
To say "stop that" in Arabic, use توقف عن ذلك (tawaqqaf 'an dhalik).
The phrase is a command used to tell someone to end an action they are currently doing.
What does it mean word for word?
The word توقف is the imperative verb meaning "stop" or "cease".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal request, such as "Please stop doing that," you can use يُرَجَّى التَّوَقُّفُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ. You can also say يُرَجَّى التَّوَقُّفُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ، مِنْ فَضْلَكَ. to mean "Please, stop doing that, if you please."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many spoken Arabic dialects, people use the word بس! to mean "stop that" or "enough" in a more natural, everyday way.
How does it change in a sentence?
The command changes depending on who you are addressing: use توقفي عن ذلك when addressing a female, and use توقفوا عن ذلك when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
tawaqqaf 'an dhalik
Did you know?
- The word عن in this phrase originally shared a root with the word for 'eye', implying the act of bringing something into one's sight or view.
- In many Arabic dialects, the command to stop is often accompanied by a hand gesture where the palm is held up and pushed slightly forward toward the other person.
- In many Arabic dialects, saying خلاص (khalas) can serve the same purpose as 'stop that', often signaling that a conversation or a situation has reached its absolute end.
Examples in context
- توقف عن ذلك فوراً!Tawaqqaf 'an dhalika fawran!Stop that immediately!
- من فضلك، توقف عن ذلك.Min fadlik, tawaqqaf 'an dhalika.Please, stop that.
- توقف عن ذلك، أنت تزعجني.Tawaqqaf 'an dhalika, anta tuz'ijuni.Stop that, you are annoying me.
Example conversation
Mariam is trying to study while Ziad is making loud noises.
- مريم Maryamزياد، توقف عن ذلك!Ziad, tawaqqaf 'an dhalika!Ziad, stop that!
- زياد Ziadأنا آسف يا مريم.Ana asif ya Mariam.I am sorry, Mariam.
- مريم Maryamأريد الهدوء الآن.Uridu al-hudu' al-an.I want quiet now.
- زياد Ziadحسناً، سأكون هادئاً.Hasanan, sa'akunu hadi'an.Okay, I will be quiet.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries توقف, ذلك, عن, CC BY-SA 4.0.
