The Spanish verb dejar has multiple meanings, like to leave, to let, to allow, etc. Read the blog of our Spanish school El Rincón del Tándem to learn more 😉
We have already mentioned that Spanish verbs and words can have multiple meanings. In the latter case, we published a post about polysemic words, providing a list of the ones that are most frequently used. Concerning verbs, Spanish language has several that can be used in different contexts.
In a previous post we explained the different use and meanings of the verb quedar. Today, we will teach you how to use properly the verb dejar.
So, let’s start!
First of all, we remind you that verb dejar is one of the Spanish verbs that can be used under different circumstances. Therefore, it is really important for all students who are learning Spanish to be aware of that, in order to not get confused.
Here below find meanings and uses of dejar.
1. To leave (something/someone)
Probably, this is the most common meaning. It means to leave or drop something or someone.
Examples:
He dejado la mochila encima de la mesa = I left my backpack on the table
Por favor, deja a tu hermana delante de la puerta del colegio = Please, drop your sister off in front of the school door.
Note. We can also use the verb dejar when we forgot something in some place. For instance, we can say:
Me he dejado el móvil en casa de mi madre = I forgot my phone at my mother’s house
In this case, we left something by accident.
2. To quit or to stop (doing something/something)
In case we are quit or stop doing something, the verb dejar goes with the preposition de. Therefore, the proper structure is DEJAR + DE + infinitive
For instance:
Mi padre dejó de fumar el año pasado = My father quit smoking last year
Nunca dejaré de viajar = I will never stop travelling
Lucía dejó el trabajo y se mudó a Brasil = Lucia quit the job and moved to Brazil
Note. You will also find this verb to mean postpone or put something off. For instance, we can say:
Deja este trabajo para mañana = Put this task off until tomorrow
3. To abandon (someone)
Dejó a su novia nada más volver de las vacaciones = He abandoned his girlfriend when he came back from holidays
4. To let – to allow
In this case, we use dejar to mean to allow or to let someone doing something.
Mi hermano me ha dejado conducir su coche = My brother let me drive his car
No dejan entrar a nadie hasta las seis de la tarde = People are not allowed to enter till 6 pm.
5. To lend (something)
When someone lend or let somebody else use something, we can say that he/she “deja”. Let’s see below some examples:
Carolina me deja su bicicleta para toda la semana = Carolina lends me her bike for the whole week
¿Me dejas tu cámara para sacar una foto del paisaje? = Could I borrow your camera to take a picture of the landscape?
6. To leave someone in peace – to leave someone alone
When someone is bothering or annoying you can say “Déjame” or “déjame en paz”.
Let’s see some examples:
!Déjame! No quiero escuchar tus tonterías = Let me alone! I don’t want to listen to your nonsense
!No insistas más! No voy a salir esta noche…déjame en paz = Don’t insist! I will not go out tonight. Let me in peace!
Finally, when we find something or someone in a certain condition, we can describe it using DEJAR + adjective.
Examples:
El masaje me dejó muy relajada = The massage left me feeling relaxed
La noticia me dejó muy feliz = The news made me happy
We hope our post provided you with useful information to use dejar under different circumstances.
Also, if you want to know more about Spanish grammar and language, our teachers would be very happy to welcome you at our Spanish school El Rincón del Tándem. Click here to know more about our cheap Spanish courses in Valencia 😉
Have a nice day!
