Dejar vs. parar
In Spanish, the words 'dejar' and 'parar' both relate to the concept of stopping or quitting an activity, but they are used in different contexts and have distinct nuances.
Dejar
Dejar generally means 'to leave', 'to quit', or 'to stop doing something'. It often implies a more permanent cessation or abandonment of the action.
Voy a dejar de fumar.
(I am going to quit smoking.)
Dejá de molestar a tu hermano.
(Stop bothering your brother.)
Ella decidió dejar su trabajo.
(She decided to quit her job.)
Podrías dejar de hacer ruido, por favor?
(Could you stop making noise, please?)
Parar
'Parar' means 'to stop', but it typically refers to a temporary halt in action rather than a permanent one. It can be used for both voluntary and involuntary actions.
Paré el coche en el semáforo.
(I stopped the car at the traffic light.)
Puedo parar el video un momento?
(Can I pause the video for a moment?)
La lluvia paró después de una hora.
(The rain stopped after an hour.)
Él nunca para de hablar.
(He never stops talking.)
Summary
'Dejar' and 'parar' both mean 'to stop' but are used differently. 'Dejar' often implies quitting or permanently ceasing an activity, while 'parar' typically refers to a temporary or momentary stop.