DEJAR
One of the Most Versatile Verbs in Spanish
The verb DEJAR is extremely common and flexible. Depending on the context, this single Spanish verb translates into completely different English verbs.
✨ 1 Verb = 6 English Translations
Don't get stuck translating word for word! Notice how DEJAR adapts to mean let, stop, quit, leave, drop, or lend in English.
1. Translates as "LET"
¡Déjame ver!
→ Let me see!
2. Translates as "STOP"
¡Deja de llorar!
→ Stop crying!
3. Translates as "QUIT"
Dejar de fumar
→ Quit smoking
4. Translates as "LEAVE"
Déjalo aquí
→ Leave it here
5. Translates as "DROP"
Dejar caer
→ To drop (let fall)
6. Translates as "LEND" 🌟
¿Me dejarías tu coche?
→ Would you lend me your car?
Common Phrases & Expressions
Master these essential combinations, including specific nuances like forgetting things or lending objects.
Dejar → Meaning: To forget / leave behind
Dejé mis llaves en el taxi.
→ I left (forgot) my keys in the taxi.
Dejar → Meaning: To lend
Mi hermano me dejó su ordenador.
→ My brother lent me his computer.
Dejar de → to stop / give up
No puedo dejar de pensar en ti.
I can’t stop thinking about you.
Dejar plantado → to stand someone up
Me dejó plantado.
He/She stood me up.
Dejar un mensaje → to leave a message
Dejé un message en tu buzón.
I left a message in your mailbox.
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 stand / rest
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 pass up / let go
No dejes pasar esta oportunidad.
Don't let this opportunity pass.
📝 Grammar Notes: Moods and Commands
¡! Commands
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!
⋈ Present Subjunctive & Wishes
When expressing desires, rules or permission for others, use the Subjunctive forms (tenga, tengas, tenga...):
Espero que me dejes tu coche.
I hope you lend me your car. (Wish / Desire)
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. (Present Subjunctive)
Reflexive Note: The reflexive form dejarse can mean "to allow oneself" or "to let oneself go" (e.g., Se dejó llevar por la emoción → He let himself be carried away by emotion).
🎧 Learn DEJAR with Popular Spanish Songs | ¡Canta y Aprende!
See how dejar is beautifully used in popular Spanish music, along with English translations to help you memorize the verb in context.
Luis Miguel
- "No me puedes dejar así"
(You can't leave me like this) - "Quédate un poco más aquí"
(Stay a little longer here)
Gloria Estefan
- "No me dejes de querer"
(Don't stop loving me)
C. Tangana
- "Tú me dejaste de querer cuando menos lo esperaba"
(You stopped loving me when I least expected it)
More Hit Songs with "Dejar"
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Nunca Me Dejes de Querer Spotify
(Never Stop Loving Me) — Shakira
"Nunca me dejes de querer"
"Never stop loving me"
-
No Me Dejes Spotify
(Don’t Leave Me) — Enrique Iglesias
"No me dejes"
"Don't leave me"
-
Déjame Entrar Spotify
(Let Me In) — Maná
"Déjame entrar"
"Let me in"
-
Dejarte de Amar Spotify
(To Stop Loving You) — Camila
"Dejarte de amar"
"To stop loving you"
-
Te He Dejado de Querer Spotify
(I Have Stopped Loving You) — Pablo Alborán
"Te he dejado de querer"
"I have stopped loving you"
-
Déjame Verte Spotify
(Let Me See You) — La Oreja de Van Gogh
"Déjame verte"
"Let me see you"
-
Te Voy a Dejar Spotify
(I’m Going to Leave You) — Juan Gabriel
"Te voy a dejar"
"I'm going to leave you"
-
Déjame Vivir Spotify
(Let Me Live) — Rocío Dúrcal & Juan Gabriel
"Déjame vivir"
"Let me live"
-
Si Me Dejas No Vale Spotify
(If You Leave Me It’s Not Fair) — Julio Iglesias
"Si me dejas, no vale"
"If you leave me, it's not fair"
-
No Me Dejes de Amar Spotify
(Don’t Stop Loving Me) — Gloria Estefan
"No me dejes de amar"
"Don't stop loving me"
Quick Summary
DEJAR = leave / let / stop / allow / lend