dejar
/deˈxaɾ/To leave something or someone behind; to abandon or stop doing something.
No quiero dejar mi casa.
I don't want to leave my house.
Dejó el libro sobre la mesa.
He left the book on the table.
Can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
To allow or permit something to happen.
No dejes que te engañen.
Don't let them fool you.
Deja que te ayude.
Let me help you.
Often used with the subjunctive mood.
To stop doing something, often with the implication of giving up or quitting.
Decidió dejar de fumar.
He decided to quit smoking.
Dejó de hablar cuando entró el profesor.
He stopped talking when the teacher entered.
Commonly used with the infinitive or gerund.
Collocations
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Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Dejar' is often used with the preposition 'de' to indicate stopping an action, e.g., 'dejar de fumar' (to quit smoking).
⚡Gold Rule
Subjunctive Use
When 'dejar' is used to allow or permit something, it is often followed by the subjunctive mood, e.g., 'Deja que lo intente' (Let me try).
📖Word Origin
From Latin 'dēlicāre', meaning 'to leave behind'.
📝Usage Notes
The verb 'dejar' is highly versatile and can be used in various contexts, from physical actions to permissions and habits. It is often followed by an infinitive or a direct object.