dejar

to leave

verb deh-HAHR Common

Also means

to let

Usage Note

Dejar covers two core senses: to leave something behind (dejó las llaves en casa — she left her keys at home) and to allow/let (déjame hablar — let me speak). The reflexive dejarse can mean to let oneself go (se ha dejado barba — he's grown a beard) or to allow something to be done to oneself. Dejar de + infinitive means 'to stop doing something' (dejó de fumar — he stopped smoking) — a very high-frequency construction.

Examples

"Deja las llaves sobre la mesa."

Natural Translation

Leave the keys on the table.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Accent Marks: 3 Rules for Every Word

A Spanish word needs an accent mark in just three cases: it breaks the default stress, it's a homophone, or a weak vowel splits off. Here are all three rules.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Memorize Spanish Vocabulary Fast (That Sticks)

Memorize Spanish vocabulary fast with a 15-minute daily loop: spaced repetition, frequency-first words, and example-sentence cards that actually stick.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spain vs Latin American Spanish: Key Differences

Spain and Latin American Spanish are fully mutually intelligible. Compare vosotros vs ustedes, coche vs carro, the 'th' sound, and learn which one to study.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Respond to ¿Cómo Estás? (Not Just Bien)

Respond to ¿cómo estás? like a native: add gracias, bounce back ¿y tú?, and pick a reply by mood — bien, no me quejo, más o menos, or ahí voy.

June 3, 2026 6 min read