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dejarlo

/deh-HAR-loh/

to quit it

A colorful storybook illustration of a child sitting on the floor, decisively pushing a video game controller away, symbolizing the act of quitting an activity.

Use this meaning when you are talking about stopping a habit or activity: to quit it.

dejarlo(Verb (Infinitive + Pronoun))

B1regular ar

to quit it

?

Stopping a habit or activity

,

to drop it

?

Ending a conversation or argument

Also:

to give it up

?

Ceasing an effort

,

to stop him

?

Figurative interference

📝 In Action

Mi doctor me dijo que tengo que **dejarlo** (el café).

B1

My doctor told me I have to **quit it** (coffee).

Por favor, no hablemos más de eso, es mejor **dejarlo**.

B1

Please, let's not talk about that anymore, it's better **to drop it**.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • abandonarlo (to abandon it)
  • pararlo (to stop it)

Antonyms

  • continuarlo (to continue it)

Common Collocations

  • ¡Tienes que dejarlo! – You have to quit it!

💡 Grammar Points

What 'lo' means here

In this case, 'lo' acts as a stand-in for a whole situation, problem, or topic you've already talked about, not just a physical object. Think of it as meaning 'the whole thing'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the attachment rule

Mistake: "No quiero lo dejar."

Correction: No quiero dejarlo. (The pronoun must attach to the end of the infinitive when it follows a conjugated verb.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Using the Command

The command form is pronounced '¡Déjalo!' (Note the accent mark on the first syllable, which is needed to keep the stress correct when attaching the pronoun.)

A high quality storybook illustration showing a hand gently placing a single, bright red apple onto a clean wooden kitchen counter.

Use this meaning when you are talking about placing or depositing an object: to leave it.

dejarlo(Verb (Infinitive + Pronoun))

A1regular ar

to leave it

?

Placing or depositing an object

,

to leave him alone

?

Referring to a male person

Also:

to put it down

?

Setting an object somewhere

📝 In Action

Te pido que vayas a la entrada para **dejarlo** (el paquete).

A1

I ask you to go to the entrance **to leave it** (the package).

Si el niño está tranquilo, es mejor **dejarlo** solo.

A2

If the boy is calm, it’s better **to leave him** alone.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • colocarlo (to place it)

Antonyms

  • tomarlo (to take it)

Common Collocations

  • dejarlo donde estaba – to leave it where it was

💡 Grammar Points

Understanding 'lo' as Direct Object

Here, 'lo' is the direct object pronoun, meaning the thing receiving the action of 'leaving.' It stands in for a specific masculine noun (e.g., 'el libro') or any item being placed.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Separating the words

Mistake: "Voy a dejar lo en la mesa."

Correction: Voy a dejarlo en la mesa. (When using the infinitive, the pronoun always sticks to the end.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Alternative Placement

You can also say 'Lo voy a dejar' (I am going to leave it). The pronoun can either precede the conjugated verb or attach to the infinitive.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: dejarlo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'dejarlo' in the sense of 'to quit a habit'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

dejar(to leave/to let) - verb
la dejadez(neglect/laziness) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'dejarlo' written as one word?

Spanish combines the infinitive verb (dejar) with object pronouns (lo, la, nos, te, etc.) when they refer to the action. This creates a single word. This is standard for infinitives, gerunds, and positive commands.

What is the difference between 'dejarlo' and 'dejarla'?

'Dejarlo' means 'to leave/quit it' (if 'it' is masculine or a concept) or 'to leave/let him.' 'Dejarla' means 'to leave/quit it' (if 'it' is feminine) or 'to leave/let her.'