dejado
/de-HA-do/
left
As a past participle, dejado means 'left'. This image shows keys that have been dejado (left) on the table.
dejado(Verb (Past Participle))
left
?as in 'I have left the keys'
,allowed
?as in 'he has allowed it'
let
?as in 'they have let him go'
,quit
?as in 'have you quit smoking?'
📝 In Action
He dejado las llaves sobre la mesa.
A2I have left the keys on the table.
Mis padres no me han dejado ir a la fiesta.
B1My parents haven't let me go to the party.
¿Has dejado ya tu antiguo trabajo?
B1Have you already left your old job?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Have Done' Form
Dejado is the past participle of dejar. You'll almost always see it with the verb haber (like 'have' or 'has') to talk about actions that are completed. For example, he dejado means 'I have left'.
Always Stays the Same with 'Haber'
When you use dejado with haber (like in he dejado, has dejado, etc.), it never changes. It's always dejado, no matter who did the action or what they left.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it Alone for Past Actions
Mistake: "Yo dejado mis llaves en casa."
Correction: Use `Yo dejé...` for a simple past action, or `Yo he dejado...` for a 'have left' action. You can't use `dejado` by itself as the main verb.
⭐ Usage Tips
Talking About Recent Events
In many parts of Spain, it's more common to say he dejado (I have left) than dejé (I left) when talking about something that happened recently, like today or this week.
As an adjective, dejado means 'neglected' or 'unkempt'. This garden is dejado because it has been neglected and needs care.
dejado(Adjective)
neglected
?a place or a person's responsibilities
,unkempt / scruffy
?a person's appearance
careless
?describing a person's attitude
,jilted / abandoned
?in a relationship
📝 In Action
El jardín está un poco dejado, necesita cuidado.
B1The garden is a bit neglected, it needs some care.
Desde que perdió el trabajo, anda muy dejado en su aspecto.
B2Since he lost his job, he's been very unkempt in his appearance.
La casa se sentía fría y dejada.
B2The house felt cold and abandoned.
💡 Grammar Points
Making it Match
As an adjective, dejado must change to match the thing it describes. Use dejado for masculine things (el jardín dejado) and dejada for feminine things (la casa dejada). Make it plural with -s for more than one (los parques dejados).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting to Match Gender
Mistake: "La oficina está muy dejado."
Correction: La oficina está muy *dejada*. Since `oficina` is a feminine word, the adjective describing it needs to end in `-a`.
⭐ Usage Tips
More Than Just Looks
Dejado isn't just about physical appearance. It can also describe a person's attitude—someone who doesn't take care of their responsibilities or lets things slide. It implies a sense of letting oneself go.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dejado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'dejado' as an adjective to describe an appearance?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'dejado' and 'abandonado'?
They're very similar! 'Abandonado' is stronger and often means completely left behind, like an 'abandoned house'. 'Dejado' is a bit softer and can mean simply neglected or not cared for, like a 'neglected garden'. You can use 'dejado' for a person's appearance ('unkempt'), but you wouldn't typically use 'abandonado' for that.
Can I say 'Estoy dejado'?
Yes, you can, but be aware of the meaning. It would mean 'I am feeling neglected' or 'I am unkempt/letting myself go'. It's a way of describing your current state or feeling.