Spanish Verb Guide · A2-B1
The Spanish Verb DEJAR
Leave, Let, Stop, Allow & Lend in Spanish
Dejar is one of the most useful Spanish verbs because it changes meaning depending on the structure. Learn it as a pattern, not as one single English translation.
✨ 1 Verb = 6 Common English Translations
Do not translate dejar word for word. Focus on the structure: dejar + noun, dejar de + infinitive, dejar que + subjunctive, and dejarme/dejarte + infinitive.
1. Let
¡Déjame ver!
Let me see!
2. Stop
¡Deja de llorar!
Stop crying!
3. Quit / Give up
Dejé de fumar.
I quit smoking.
4. Leave
Déjalo aquí.
Leave it here.
5. Allow
No me dejan salir.
They don't let me go out.
6. Lend / Let borrow
¿Me dejas tu coche?
Will you lend me your car?
The Most Important DEJAR Patterns
The easiest way to master dejar is to learn the pattern around it. These are the structures you will see in daily Spanish, movies, songs, conversations and DELE-style exercises.
1. Dejar + place/object
To leave something somewhere, or to leave something behind.
Dejé las llaves en casa.
I left the keys at home.
Deja el libro sobre la mesa.
Leave the book on the table.
2. Dejar de + infinitive
To stop doing something, quit, or give up a habit.
No puedo dejar de pensar en ti.
I can't stop thinking about you.
Quiero dejar de comer tanto azúcar.
I want to stop eating so much sugar.
3. Dejar + infinitive
To let someone do something. With object pronouns: déjame, déjate, déjalo, déjanos.
Déjame explicarlo.
Let me explain it.
No me dejaron entrar.
They didn't let me enter.
4. Dejar que + subjunctive
To let / allow someone to do something, often with a new subject after que.
Deja que te ayude.
Let me help you.
No creo que nos dejen entrar.
I don't think they will let us in.
Common Phrases & Daily Expressions with DEJAR
These are the expressions learners should recognize first. They are short, useful and common in real conversation.
Dejar algo en algún lugar → to leave something somewhere
Dejé mis llaves en el taxi.
I left my keys in the taxi.
Dejar algo a alguien → to lend / let someone borrow
Mi hermano me dejó su ordenador.
My brother lent me his computer.
Dejar de + infinitive → to stop / give up
No puedo dejar de pensar en ti.
I can’t stop thinking about you.
Dejar plantado/a → to stand someone up
Me dejó plantado.
He/She stood me up.
Dejar un mensaje → to leave a message
Dejé un mensaje en tu buzón.
I left a message in your mailbox.
Dejar claro → to make clear
Quiero dejar algo claro.
I want to make something clear.
Dejar la propina → to leave a tip
Dejamos la propina en el restaurante.
We left a tip at the restaurant.
Dejar en paz → to leave alone
¡Déjame en paz!
Leave me alone!
Dejar reposar → to let rest / stand
Deja reposar la masa.
Let the dough rest.
Dejar de hablarse → to stop talking to each other
Se dejaron de hablar.
They stopped talking to each other.
Dejar pasar → to let pass / pass up
No dejes pasar esta oportunidad.
Don't let this opportunity pass.
Dejarse llevar → to get carried away
Se dejó llevar por la emoción.
He/She got carried away by emotion.
📝 Grammar Notes: Commands, Subjunctive and Pronouns
¡! Commands with DEJAR
Positive Commands
- ¡Déjalo aquí! Leave it here!
- ¡Deja de llorar! Stop crying!
- ¡Déjame ver! Let me see!
Negative Commands
- ¡No me dejes solo! Don't leave me alone!
- ¡No dejes de estudiar! Don't stop studying!
- ¡No lo dejes ahí! Don't leave it there!
⋈ Dejar que + Subjunctive
With dejar que, a new subject often follows que. In wishes, permission, doubt or requests, use subjunctive forms such as deje, dejes, dejemos, dejen.
Espero que me dejes tu coche.
I hope you lend me your car.
Quiero que dejes de llorar.
I want you to stop crying.
No creo que nos dejen entrar.
I don't think they will let us in.
Pronoun tip: In positive commands, pronouns attach to the end: déjame, déjalo, déjanos. In negative commands, pronouns go before the verb: no me dejes, no lo dejes, no nos dejes.
20 Useful DEJAR Sentences for Daily Spanish
Use these short examples to review the main meanings of dejar in real-life contexts.
Déjame pensarlo.
Let me think about it.
No me dejes esperando.
Don't leave me waiting.
Déjalo para mañana.
Leave it for tomorrow.
Dejé el móvil en casa.
I left my phone at home.
¿Me dejas pasar?
Will you let me pass?
No te dejes engañar.
Don't let yourself be fooled.
Déjame ayudarte.
Let me help you.
Deja de quejarte.
Stop complaining.
No puedo dejarlo así.
I can't leave it like this.
Me dejó sin palabras.
It left me speechless.
Deja que lo intente.
Let him/her try.
No dejes que te afecte.
Don't let it affect you.
¿Me dejas un bolígrafo?
Can you lend me a pen?
Déjame en paz.
Leave me alone.
No quiero dejar pasar esta oportunidad.
I don't want to miss this opportunity.
Dejó de trabajar muy tarde.
He/She stopped working very late.
Déjame terminar.
Let me finish.
No me dejan decidir.
They don't let me decide.
Lo dejaron todo preparado.
They left everything ready.
Déjate llevar.
Let yourself go / Go with the flow.
🎧 Learn DEJAR with Popular Spanish Songs
Songs can help you remember dejar in context. The examples below focus on very short phrases, not full lyrics.
Luis Miguel
“No me puedes dejar así”
You can't leave me like this.
Gloria Estefan
“No me dejes de querer”
Don't stop loving me.
C. Tangana
“Tú me dejaste de querer”
You stopped loving me.
More Song Titles with DEJAR
-
Nunca Me Dejes de Querer
Never stop loving me.
-
Déjame Entrar
Let me in.
-
Dejarte de Amar
To stop loving you.
-
Déjame Vivir
Let me live.
Quick Summary
DEJAR = leave / let / stop / allow / lend
The key is the structure: dejar algo, dejar de hacer algo, dejar que alguien haga algo.