dejarle
/deh-HAR-leh/
to leave him/her/you (formal) something
Leaving a thoughtful item for someone else is one way to use dejarle.
dejarle(verb)
to leave him/her/you (formal) something
?as in leaving a message, object, or inheritance for someone
to hand over to him/her/you (formal)
?giving possession
📝 In Action
Fui al banco a dejarle dinero a mi hermano.
A2I went to the bank to leave money for my brother (him).
Si no estás, voy a dejarle la llave a tu vecina.
A2If you aren't here, I am going to leave the key for your neighbor (her).
💡 Grammar Points
Infinitive + Pronoun
When using an infinitive form like 'dejar,' the pronoun 'le' (meaning 'to him' or 'to her') attaches directly to the end, forming one word: 'dejarle'.
The Function of 'le'
'Le' tells you who the recipient of the action is. The key is that the recipient is a single person ('him,' 'her,' or 'you formal').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'lo' for people
Mistake: "Voy a dejarlo un mensaje. (If referring to a male recipient)"
Correction: Voy a dejarle un mensaje. 'Le' is used for the person who benefits from or receives the action (indirect object), even if they are masculine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement Flexibility
In compound verb phrases, you can often put 'le' before the conjugated verb (e.g., 'Le quiero dejar') or attach it to the infinitive ('Quiero dejarle').
When you allow someone to do something, you use the verb form dejarle.
dejarle(verb)
to let him/her/you (formal)
?to allow or permit someone to do something
to permit him/her/you (formal)
?formal permission
📝 In Action
No puedes dejarle ir a la fiesta si no ha terminado sus tareas.
B1You cannot let him go to the party if he hasn't finished his chores.
El guardia no quería dejarle pasar sin identificación.
B1The guard didn't want to let her pass without identification.
💡 Grammar Points
Chain of Verbs
When 'dejarle' is used in the sense of 'to allow,' it is usually followed immediately by another verb in the infinitive: 'dejarle + [action]'. (E.g., dejarle comer, dejarle hablar).
⭐ Usage Tips
Implied Action
Sometimes the action is implied and omitted, such as when you tell someone to stop annoying a person: '¡Déjale ya!' (Just leave him/her alone already!)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dejarle
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'dejarle' to mean 'to allow him'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'dejarle' sometimes written as two words ('le voy a dejar') and sometimes as one word ('voy a dejarle')?
When the verb is conjugated (like 'voy'), the pronoun 'le' usually goes before it ('le voy a dejar'). But when the verb is in the infinitive ('dejar') or the gerund ('dejando'), you have the choice to attach the pronoun to the end, forming one word ('voy a dejarle' or 'estoy dejándole').