dejan
/DEH-hahn/
they leave
The image shows two people walking away, demonstrating the meaning 'they leave' something behind.
dejan(verb)
they leave
?to leave something behind
,you (plural) leave
?using the 'ustedes' form
they abandon
?leaving a person or place
,they forget
?leaving something accidentally
📝 In Action
Ellos siempre dejan los platos sucios en la mesa.
A1They always leave the dirty dishes on the table.
Ustedes dejan la casa muy limpia después de la fiesta.
A2You all leave the house very clean after the party.
Mis vecinos dejan la música encendida cuando salen.
A2My neighbors leave the music on when they go out.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'ellos/ellas/ustedes' Form
This form 'dejan' is used for 'they' (ellos/ellas) or for the formal plural 'you' (ustedes). The ending -an is standard for regular -ar verbs in the present tense.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'dejar' and 'salir'
Mistake: "They say 'Dejan el restaurante' when they mean 'They leave the restaurant' (salir)."
Correction: Use 'dejar' when you leave *something* behind (Dejan su abrigo). Use 'salir' when you leave *a location* (Salen del restaurante).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Reflexive Pronouns
When you use 'dejar' with a reflexive pronoun (like 'se'), it changes meaning to 'to quit' or 'to stop': 'Ellos se dejan de fumar' (They quit smoking).
This illustration represents the concept of permission, showing how 'they let' someone pass.
dejan(verb)
they let
?to allow or permit
,you (plural) let
?using the 'ustedes' form
they permit
?granting permission
📝 In Action
Los guardias no dejan pasar a nadie después de las diez.
A2The guards don't let anyone pass after ten o'clock.
Si ustedes me dejan explicar, todo tendrá sentido.
B1If you all let me explain, everything will make sense.
Ellas no dejan que sus hijos vean televisión tarde.
B1They don't allow their children to watch television late.
💡 Grammar Points
Structure: Dejar + Infinitive
When 'dejar' means 'to let' or 'to allow,' it is usually followed directly by another verb in its base form (the infinitive): 'dejan entrar' (they let enter).
Using 'que' (The Subjunctive Trigger)
If you want to say 'They allow that someone does something,' you must use 'dejar que' and the verb that follows changes to the special subjunctive form: 'Dejan que estudie' (They let him study).
⭐ Usage Tips
Passive Voice Substitute
'Dejar' is often used in Spanish where English might use a passive construction: 'Se dejan ver' means 'They let themselves be seen' or simply 'They appear'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dejan
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'dejan' in the sense of 'to allow'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'dejan' and 'se van'?
'Dejan' (from dejar) means 'they leave something behind' or 'they allow.' 'Se van' (from irse) means 'they leave a place' or 'they go away.' If they leave the party, you say 'Se van de la fiesta.' If they leave their coat, you say 'Dejan su abrigo.'
Is 'dejan' used often in informal speech?
Yes, 'dejan' is extremely common and is used in all registers, from casual conversation to formal writing, due to the fundamental nature of the verb 'dejar'.