parar

Parar is a verb used in Spanish and Portuguese with several related senses centered on stopping or bringing to a halt. In general, it denotes ending motion, activity, or progression, whether something moves, a process occurs, or a person acts. It can also form fixed phrases that express ceasing an action or pausing to perform another task. The noun parada (stop, halt, or bus stop) is a common derivative.

Etymology and related forms: Parar derives from Latin parare, meaning to prepare or make ready, with the sense of bringing to a halt as preparation or interruption evolved over time. Cognates appear in both Iberian languages and share the core idea of halting or pausing.

Spanish usage: Parar is widely used in everyday speech. Examples include parar un coche (to stop a car), el tren para a las cinco (the train stops at five), and parar la máquina (to stop the machine). Parar de + infinitivo expresses ceasing an activity, as in parar de fumar or parar de hablar. Pararse is a reflexive form meaning to stop oneself, to halt movement, or to pause for a moment, as in nos paramos a admirar el paisaje (we stopped to admire the landscape). The verb is often contrasted with detener, which is more formal and, in many contexts, implies a deliberate or authoritative halting.

Portuguese usage: In Portuguese, parar carries the same core meanings: to stop, to halt, or to pause. Examples include o trem para na estação (the train stops at the station) and precisa parar de fumar (you need to stop smoking). Parar de is similarly used to indicate ceasing an activity. Parar-se is common when referring to stopping one’s own movement or position.

See also: parada, paragem, detêner.