The Ultimate Guide to “Dejar” in Spanish – Meanings, Formulas & Everyday Uses

The Complete Guide to “Dejar” in Spanish: Formulas, Meanings & Pro Tips

Learning Spanish online means mastering powerhouse verbs that pop up everywhere—and “dejar” tops the list. It can mean to leave, to let, to stop (doing something), to drop off, and more. Below you’ll find easy-to-memorize formulas, do’s & don’ts, real-life examples, and a conjugation cheat sheet so you can use dejar confidently in conversation and writing.

Quick Formulas & What They Communicate

Pro Tip: Memorize each pattern + meaning as a mini “formula.” When you spot dejar in a sentence, ask, “Which formula is it using?”—this instantly clarifies the meaning.

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Deep Dive: How to Use Each Formula

1. dejar + objeto directo (to leave something somewhere)

• Do: mention where you left it to add clarity.

  Dejé las llaves sobre la mesa. (I left the keys on the table.)

• Don’t: use it when talking about people you let do something—that’s Formula 2.

2. dejar + infinitive (to allow / let)

• Do: follow with an infinitive verb.

  El profesor nos deja usar apuntes. (The teacher lets us use notes.)

• Don’t: forget to include the person you’re allowing ➜ me, te, le, nos, les.

3. dejar de + infinitive (to stop doing something)

• Do: use for habits you quit.

  Marcos dejó de comer azúcar. (Marcos stopped eating sugar.)

• Don’t: confuse with “parar de” (regional; dejar de is more universal).

4. dejar a + persona (to break up / abandon)

• Do: add a before the person.

  La empresa dejó a varios empleados sin trabajo. (The company left several employees without work.)

• Don’t: drop the “a”—it’s required with people.

5. dejar + noun/adjective (to leave in a state)

• Do: pair with adjectives like abierto, sucio, listo.

  Dejaron la habitación ordenada. (They left the room tidy.)

• Don’t: add “a”; it’s a direct object here.

6. dejar que + subjuntivo (to allow that)

• Do: remember the subjunctive after que.

  Mis padres dejan que yo salga con amigos. (My parents let me go out with friends.)

• Don’t: use the indicative; it sounds wrong.

7. dejarse + infinitive (to let oneself / get)

• Do: use the reflexive pronoun matching the subject.

  Se dejó engañar. (He let himself be fooled.)

• Don’t: forget the accent on the imperative déjate.

8. Imperative Forms (¡Deja!, ¡Déjame!, ¡Déjalo!)

• Quick commands with big impact.

  ¡Déjame hablar! (Let me speak!)

• Mind informal vs. formal (deja vs. deje).

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Do’s & Don’ts Summary

• Do keep the infinitive immediately after dejar or dejar de.

• Do switch to the subjunctive after dejar que.

• Do use object pronouns for me deja salir, nos dejó pasar.

• Don’t translate word-for-word from English “leave”—Spanish often uses irse, salir, or abandonar.

• Don’t mix up dejar a (break up) with dejar de (stop doing).

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Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

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Quick Conjugation Cheat Sheet for “Dejar”

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FAQ

Q: Can I use “dejar” for “forget” in Spanish?
No. Olvidar ≈ “forget.” Dejar only means “leave (behind).”

Q: Is “parar de” acceptable to say “stop doing”?
Yes in some regions (especially Spain), but dejar de + infinitive is more universally understood.