frenar
verbCEFR B2
What does “frenar” mean in English?
to stem, to halt the advance of
to stem, to halt the advance of (frenar + noun — check or contain an unwanted process)
Example sentences
Las nuevas regulaciones tienen como objetivo frenar el crecimiento desordenado del sector inmobiliario.
The new regulations aim to stem the disorderly growth of the property sector.
Las vacunas fueron fundamentales para frenar la propagación del virus en las primeras semanas.
The vaccines were fundamental in stemming the spread of the virus in the first weeks.
Nada parecía capaz de frenar su determinación de llegar a la cima de la organización.
Nothing seemed capable of stopping her determination to reach the top of the organisation.
How to use it
Frenar means 'to brake', 'to stem', or 'to halt the advance of'. Literal: frenar el coche (brake the car). Figurative at B2: frenar el crecimiento (stem growth), frenar la inflación (curb inflation), frenar el avance de una enfermedad. The figurative sense dominates at B2, especially in policy, economics, and health discourse. Near-synonyms: contener (to contain — implies keeping within bounds), detener (to stop completely — more drastic), limitar (to limit — partial constraint).
Common mistake
Frenar (stem/slow down) vs. detener (stop entirely): frenar suggests applying a brake — slowing or checking, not necessarily a complete halt. In driving, frenar = brake; parar = stop completely. In policy discourse, frenar la inflación does not mean zero inflation, just slowing it down.