"Stop!" Which Spanish imperative is better?

Question

"¡Alta!" o "¡Para!"

(Could be neither; I may have gotten both wrong.)

Answer 1

I would say: ¡Alto! or ¡Pare! or ¡Deténgase!

Answer 2

If you were to say something like, stop/halt or I'll shoot you would probably use alta. If you mean stop as in stop it you could use Ya or basta ya (along the lines of enough already)

Answer 3

I often hear "alto" when one is wanting someone to stop. So as far as which one is better? I don't know that there is one that is "better" just more commonly used.

"Alto" once was used on stop signs in Mexico. But all the way to Oaxaca, it has been mostly been replaced by "Stop." Wonder why? - 0057ed01, Nov 19, 2009

I have noticed that! I wonder why that is. Whats wrong with alto? Americans should still recognized the hexagon as stop. - Sprewett09, Nov 19, 2009

Answer 4

Alto!

Detente!

Para! (Párate! or Párale! are common too)

Espera!

Frénale! (Frénate!)

Engarróteseme ahi! (colloquial)

The last one is such fun to pronounce! Perfect for practicing rolling the "rr." - 0057ed01, Nov 19, 2009