The Present Tense of Parar is used to describe actions happening right now or habitual actions, for example: Paro el coche en el semáforo. (I stop the car at the red light.)

Parar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the present tense follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Parar (to stop) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

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

To stop an action: For example, Paro de hablar cuando me interrumpen. (I stop talking when they interrupt me.)

To stop moving: For example, Paro el coche en el semáforo. (I stop the car at the traffic light.)

To stand up or get up: For example, Me paro temprano todos los días. (I get up early every day.)

To set up or install something: For example, Paro una tienda en línea. (I set up an online store.)

To pay attention or listen (colloquial): For example, ¡Para la oreja, vos! (Listen up, you!)

To stop someone from doing something (colloquial): For example, ¡Para el carro, chico! (Stop messing around, dude!)

Examples

Examples of Parar in the Present Tense

Cada mañana paro el despertador a las 7 am. (Every morning I stop the alarm at 7 am.)

¿Por qué paras de caminar tan repentinamente? (Why do you stop walking so suddenly?)

Mi hermana para de trabajar a las 5 pm. (My sister stops working at 5 pm.)

Paramos en esta gasolinera para recargar combustible. (We stop at this gas station to refuel.)

Ustedes paran demasiado seguido durante los viajes largos. (You all stop too often during long trips.)

¿Por qué paráis de estudiar tan temprano? (Why do you stop studying so early?)

Los manifestantes paran el tráfico en el centro de la ciudad. (The protesters stop traffic in the city center.)

Cuando paramos para comer, siempre elegimos un restaurante local. (When we stop to eat, we always choose a local restaurant.)

¿A qué hora paras de trabajar hoy? (What time do you stop working today?)

Los jugadores paran el partido por la lluvia intensa. (The players stop the game due to heavy rain.)

Cada vez que paramos en una ciudad nueva, visitamos los sitios turísticos principales. (Whenever we stop in a new city, we visit the main tourist sites.)

Mamá para de cocinar para descansar un rato. (Mom stops cooking to rest for a while.)

Mis amigos paran de bailar cuando se acaba la música. (My friends stop dancing when the music ends.)

¿Por qué paras de hablar tan de repente? (Why do you stop talking so suddenly?)

Cuando paramos en un semáforo rojo, aprovechamos para estirar las piernas. (When we stop at a red light, we take the opportunity to stretch our legs.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Parar (to stop) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American 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.