How do you say 'stop that' in Spanish?
To say "stop that" in Spanish, the most common phrases are para eso (informal, one person), pare eso (formal, one person), deja eso (informal, "leave that alone"), and basta (stronger, "that's enough"); choose based on who you're talking to and how forceful you need to be.
The main phrases and when to use them
Para eso is the go‑to informal command for one person — use it with friends, family, or kids. Pare eso is the formal equivalent; use it with strangers, elders, or in professional settings. Deja eso literally means "leave that" and works when someone is touching or messing with something they shouldn't. Basta means "enough" and carries more weight; it can sound sharp, so reserve it for moments when you really need the behavior to end now.
If you're addressing a group, switch to paren eso (informal, Spain) or paren eso / paren con eso (Latin America), and dejen eso for "leave that alone."
Pronunciation quick guide
- Para eso: PAH-rah EH-soh — stress the first syllable of each word.
- Pare eso: PAH-reh EH-soh — same vowels, just swap the final a for e.
- Deja eso: DEH-hah EH-soh — the j sounds like a soft English h.
- Basta: BAHS-tah — short, crisp, stress on the first syllable.
Say each phrase slowly three times, then at normal speed. Record yourself and compare to a native speaker; the rhythm matters more than perfect vowels at first.
Soften or strengthen the request
Add por favor after any phrase to be polite: para eso, por favor. Use ¿Podrías…? for a request instead of a command: ¿Podrías parar eso? (informal) or ¿Podría parar eso? (formal). For urgency, preface with ya: ¡Ya para eso! or ¡Ya basta! — the ya adds "right now."
Common mistakes English speakers make
Using para alone without eso — para by itself means "stop" (as in a vehicle) or "for." Saying para eso when you mean "stop doing that action" — for ongoing actions, deja de + infinitive is often more natural: deja de hacer eso ("stop doing that"). Mixing formal and informal in the same sentence — pick one register and stick with it.
Practice with a Langel
Langels is a voice conversation companion: you choose a Language Angel and talk with her out loud, in real time, no camera or classroom; each Langel has a dial from "Talk to me" to "Teach me" that you can turn mid‑conversation; it remembers what you talked about last time; five minutes is enough; mistakes are corrected within its reply; you can ask it to repeat, go slower, or explain in your language; you get in by invitation or by requesting a spot. Spend a few minutes each day asking your Langel to role‑play scenarios where you need to say "stop that" — a sibling grabbing your phone, a coworker tapping a pen, a child reaching for something hot. The Langel will correct your pronunciation instantly and suggest the right register for each situation.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between "para eso" and "deja eso"?
Para eso focuses on stopping an action; deja eso focuses on letting go of an object or leaving something alone. If someone is hitting a table, say para eso. If someone is holding your keys, say deja eso.
Can I just say "para"?
Only if context makes it obvious what to stop — like a driver hitting brakes. In conversation, para alone sounds incomplete; native speakers almost always add eso, ya, or the specific action: para de hablar, para de reír.
Is "basta" rude?
It can sound blunt or dramatic. Among close friends it's often used playfully (¡basta, ya me cansaste!). With strangers or in formal settings, prefer pare eso, por favor or ¿Podría detenerse, por favor?
With a Langel
> You: "How do I say 'stop that' to a friend in Spanish?" > Langel: "Say 'para eso' — PAH-rah EH-soh. Want to try it?" > You: "Para eso." > Langel: "Good! Now try the formal version: 'pare eso.'" > You: "Pare eso." > Langel: "Perfect. Remember: 'para' with friends, 'pare' with strangers. Want a quick role‑play?"
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