detenerse
verb
1. to stop, come to a halt
ceasing movement or action
Common combinations
- detenerse de repente — to stop suddenly
- detenerse por completo — to come to a complete stop
- detenerse ante un obstáculo — to stop in front of an obstacle
- El coche se detuvo frente a la casa.The car stopped in front of the house.
- El tren se detuvo en la estación.The train stopped at the station.
- La lluvia se detuvo por la tarde.The rain stopped in the afternoon.
2. to stop to do something detenerse a + infinitivo
pausing in order to do something
Common combinations
- detenerse a observar — to stop to observe
- detenerse a descansar — to stop to rest
- detenerse a hablar — to stop to talk
- Me detuve a mirar el mapa.I stopped to look at the map.
- Se detuvo a beber agua.He stopped to drink water.
- Nos detuvimos a hablar con ella.We stopped to talk to her.
3. to dwell on, focus on detenerse en
examining something in detail
Common combinations
- detenerse en los detalles — to dwell on the details
- detenerse en un punto — to focus on one point
- detenerse en un problema — to dwell on a problem
- El informe se detiene en los problemas del barrio.The report focuses on the problems in the neighborhood.
- No voy a detenerme en ese detalle.I am not going to dwell on that detail.
- La profesora se detuvo en la primera pregunta.The teacher focused on the first question.
Phrases with this word
detenerse en secodetenerse a pensar