arrêter

Senses

1. 1.

   to stop

   cease movement or action; bring to a halt

2. 2.

   to arrest

   seize or take into custody (law enforcement)

3. 3.

   to decide

   determine or settle on a course of action (formal/written)

4. 4.

   to turn off

   switch off or shut down a device or machine

Examples

• "L'autobus s'arrête à chaque station."

  The bus stops at every station.

• "La police a arrêté le suspect hier soir."

  The police arrested the suspect last night.

• "Arrête de parler, s'il te plaît."

  Stop talking, please.

Usage

Arrêter is one of the most common French verbs. Use s'arrêter (reflexive) for intransitive "to stop"; arrêter (transitive) for stopping something or someone. In legal contexts, arrêter means "to arrest." The phrase "arrêter de + infinitive" means "to stop/quit doing something." Avoid confusing with English "arrest" in non-legal contexts.