Spanish Conversation · Level 53
75 words
Spanish word
parar
Pronunciation
IPA/paˈɾaɾ/
Meaning
- verbstop
Example
El autobús paró frente a la estación.
The bus stopped in front of the station.
More examples
He decidido parar de fumar.
I have decided to quit smoking.
Core concept
Bringing movement or an action to a stop.
Common phrases
parar de fumar
quit smoking
parar la música
stop the music
parar el tren
stop the train
Similar words
frenar: Apply brakes or ease off power to reduce speed.
detener: Stop someone or something by applying force or restraint.
pararse: Cease moving and stand still at the same spot.
interrumpir: Halt an activity, speech, or process before it finishes.
Definition in Spanish
Cesar o interrumpir el movimiento o la realización de una acción; también expresar la suspensión temporal de una actividad con 'parar de + infinitivo'.
Word origin
Borrowed from Latin parāre 'prepare', with the Romance development of senses around halting and the formation of derivatives like parada and pararse.
Usage tips
- Parar is both transitive and intransitive, as in parar el autobús to bring a vehicle to a stop and el autobús paró to say the bus stopped.