dejó
“dejó” means “left” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
left
Also: forgot
📝 In Action
Ella dejó las llaves en la mesa.
A1She left the keys on the table.
Juan dejó a su perro con un amigo durante las vacaciones.
A2Juan left his dog with a friend during the vacation.
Dejó su antiguo trabajo para empezar una nueva carrera.
B1He left his old job to start a new career.
let
Also: allowed
📝 In Action
Mi mamá no me dejó ir a la fiesta.
A2My mom didn't let me go to the party.
El guardia lo dejó pasar sin revisar su bolso.
B1The guard let him pass without checking his bag.
stopped
Also: quit
📝 In Action
Dejó de llover justo antes del partido.
B1It stopped raining right before the game.
Finalmente, dejó de quejarse y se puso a trabajar.
B1Finally, he stopped complaining and got to work.
left
Also: made
📝 In Action
La noticia lo dejó muy preocupado.
B1The news left him very worried.
El final de la película me dejó sin palabras.
B2The end of the movie left me speechless.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: dejó
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says "He stopped talking"?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word `laxāre`, which meant 'to loosen, release, or let go'. You can see the connection between 'letting go' of an object and 'leaving' it behind.
First recorded: Around the 12th century.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'dejó' and 'dejaba'?
'Dejó' is for a specific, completed action in the past (He left his keys yesterday). 'Dejaba' is for repeated or ongoing actions in the past, or for setting the scene (He always used to leave his keys on the table).
When do I use 'dejó' vs. 'salió'?
Use 'dejó' when talking about the thing or person you are leaving behind ('Dejó el libro en casa'). Use 'salió' when you are talking about yourself (or someone) leaving a physical place ('Salió de la casa').