The Present Tense of detenerse is used to describe actions or states that are happening right now or that occur habitually. For example, Me detengo en la tienda para comprar pan. (I stop at the store to buy bread.)

Detenerse is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugations do not follow a set pattern in the present tense. You’ll need to memorize its specific conjugations.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Detenerse (to stop) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

Detenerse generally means to stop or halt, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.

To stop moving: For example, Me detengo en la esquina (I stop at the corner).

To pause or take a break: For example, Me detengo un momento para descansar (I pause for a moment to rest).

To stay or remain somewhere: For example, Me detengo en el hotel por una semana (I stay at the hotel for a week).

To stop and consider something: For example, Me detengo a pensar en tus palabras (I stop to consider your words).

To arrest or detain (colloquial): For example, La policía me detiene por conducir ebrio (The police arrest me for drunk driving).

To stop someone from doing something (colloquial): For example, Te detengo antes de que hagas una tontería (I stop you before you do something stupid).

Examples

Examples of Detenerse in the Present Tense

Cuando el tren se detiene, detengo mi lectura. (When the train stops, I stop my reading.)

Cada mañana, me detengo a tomar un café antes de ir al trabajo. (Every morning, I stop to have a coffee before going to work.)

¿Por qué te detienes en cada esquina? (Why do you stop at every corner?)

El policía detiene el tráfico para que los niños puedan cruzar la calle. (The police officer stops traffic so the children can cross the street.)

Cuando veo un accidente, me detengo a ayudar. (When I see an accident, I stop to help.)

Mi amigo se detiene a saludar a todos en la calle. (My friend stops to greet everyone on the street.)

En el semáforo rojo, detienes el coche por completo. (At the red light, you stop the car completely.)

La multitud se detiene para escuchar al orador. (The crowd stops to listen to the speaker.)

Cuando te detienes a pensar, las respuestas llegan más fácilmente. (When you stop to think, the answers come more easily.)

El guardia de seguridad detiene a los sospechosos en la entrada. (The security guard stops the suspects at the entrance.)

Después de un largo día, me detengo a relajarme con un buen libro. (After a long day, I stop to relax with a good book.)

En la fiesta, te detienes a bailar con tus amigos. (At the party, you stop to dance with your friends.)

El entrenador detiene el juego para dar instrucciones. (The coach stops the game to give instructions.)

Cuando te detienes a escuchar, aprendes más. (When you stop to listen, you learn more.)

La lluvia se detiene y el sol sale de nuevo. (The rain stops and the sun comes out again.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Detenerse (to stop) in the Present Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.