dejamos
/deh-HAH-mos/
we leave
We leave the place.
dejamos(verb)
we leave
?present action, e.g., leaving a place or object
,we left
?past action (preterite)
we drop off
?transporting something
,we put down
?placing an object
📝 In Action
Siempre dejamos una nota para el cartero.
A1We always leave a note for the mail carrier. (Present Tense)
Dejamos el perro con mi hermana durante el viaje.
A1We left the dog with my sister during the trip. (Past Tense - Preterite)
¿Dónde dejamos los abrigos?
A2Where do we put the coats?
💡 Grammar Points
Present vs. Past
The form 'dejamos' is tricky because it means 'we leave' (Present) AND 'we left' (Simple Past). You must use context or time markers (like 'ayer' or 'siempre') to tell them apart.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Dejar' and 'Salir'
Mistake: "Using 'Dejamos de la casa' to mean 'We leave the house.'"
Correction: Use 'Salimos de la casa' for leaving a location. Use 'Dejamos' only if you are leaving something (an object, a person) behind.
⭐ Usage Tips
Leaving Things Behind
Think of 'dejar' as the opposite of 'to take.' If you don't take it with you, you 'dejas' it.
We let others pass through.
dejamos(verb)
we let
?allow access or permission
,we allow
?granting permission
we permit
?formal permission
📝 In Action
No dejamos que nadie use nuestra piscina.
A2We don't allow anyone to use our pool.
Si dejamos que sigan, nunca terminaremos.
B1If we let them continue, we will never finish.
Dejamos al perro correr libremente en el jardín.
A2We let the dog run freely in the yard.
💡 Grammar Points
Allowing Action Structure
When using 'dejar' to mean 'to let someone do something,' you follow it directly with the person (the object) and then the action verb in its base form (infinitive): 'Dejamos [a ellos] [entrar].'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Permitir' vs 'Dejar'
Mistake: "Using 'dejamos' in highly formal contexts like official documents."
Correction: 'Dejar' is great for everyday permission. For official, strict permission, 'permitir' is usually better: 'Permitimos el acceso...'
We stop working.
dejamos(verb)
we stop
?ceasing an action ('dejar de' + infinitive)
,we quit
?giving up a habit
we abandon
?giving up a task
📝 In Action
Dejamos de ir al gimnasio cuando empezó la lluvia.
B1We stopped going to the gym when the rain started. (Past Tense - Preterite)
Si no dejamos de hablar, no entenderemos las reglas.
B1If we don't stop talking, we won't understand the rules. (Present Tense)
💡 Grammar Points
Stopping an Action
To express stopping an action, you must use the structure 'dejar de' followed by the base form of the second verb (infinitive): 'Dejamos de comer' (We stopped eating).
⭐ Usage Tips
Reflexive Use: Dejarse
If you add 'nos' (nos dejamos), the meaning changes completely to 'we let ourselves' or 'we neglect ourselves,' often implying carelessness: 'Nos dejamos llevar por la emoción' (We let ourselves get carried away by emotion).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dejamos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'dejamos' in the Preterite (past) tense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'dejamos' is Present or Preterite?
You must rely on context, especially time words. If the sentence uses 'hoy' (today) or 'siempre' (always), it's likely Present ('we leave'). If it uses 'ayer' (yesterday) or 'la semana pasada' (last week), it's Preterite ('we left').
Is 'dejar' the same as 'permitir'?
They are close! 'Dejar' is very common and casual for 'to let' (e.g., 'we let the dog out'). 'Permitir' means 'to permit' and is slightly more formal or implies a stricter rule.