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español
dejar — meaning in English: leave
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leave
prueba
así
creí
dejar
haber
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native Spanish speakers commonly use 'dejar' in everyday conversations to indicate leaving a place or allowing something to happen. For example, a friend might say, 'Dejé mis llaves en la casa,' meaning 'I left my keys at home.' It's also frequently used in contexts involving permission, like a parent telling a child, 'Puedes dejarlo ahí,' which means 'You can leave it there.'
Synonyms & nuances
'Dejar' can be compared to 'salir,' which means 'to exit' or 'to go out.' While 'salir' is more about physically going out of a place, 'dejar' emphasizes the act of leaving something behind or allowing something to happen. Thus, if you want to express that you are leaving your belongings somewhere, 'dejar' would be the go-to choice.
Culture
'Dejar' originates from the Latin word 'licere,' meaning 'to allow' or 'to permit.' This etymology is reflected in its versatile use in Spanish, not only meaning 'to leave' but also 'to let' or 'to allow.' Interestingly, 'dejar' is a key verb in many idiomatic expressions, such as 'dejar de lado' (to set aside) or 'dejar en paz' (to leave alone), showcasing the flexibility of its usage in the language.
FAQ
