dejarnos
/de-HAR-nos/
to break up
When "dejarnos" means "to break up," it visually represents two people choosing to separate their paths.
dejarnos(verb)
to break up
?ending a relationship
,to leave each other
?reciprocal action
to split up
?relationship
📝 In Action
Después de diez años, decidieron dejarnos.
B1After ten years, they decided to break up.
Si seguimos peleando, vamos a tener que dejarnos.
B2If we keep fighting, we are going to have to leave each other.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Nos' Meaning
When 'nos' is attached to the verb, it means the action is happening to or between the people involved. In this sense, it means 'we leave each other' (reciprocal action).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Dejar' vs. 'Dejarse'
Mistake: "Using 'Vamos a dejar' when you mean 'We are going to break up'."
Correction: Use the reflexive form: 'Vamos a dejarnos.' If you just say 'dejar,' it means 'We are going to leave (something/someone else).'
⭐ Usage Tips
The Nosotros Command
When giving a 'Let's...' command, the attached form is 'dejémonos' (Let's break up/Let's quit), where the 's' on 'dejemos' is dropped before attaching 'nos'.
Used reflexively, "dejarnos" can mean "to let ourselves," indicating permission, like allowing ourselves to relax.
dejarnos(verb)
to let ourselves
?to permit 'us' to do something
,to allow ourselves
?granting permission to ourselves
to give ourselves up to
?often used in set phrases like 'dejarse llevar'
📝 In Action
Debemos dejarnos disfrutar el momento.
A2We must let ourselves enjoy the moment.
No podemos dejarnos llevar por el pánico.
B1We cannot let ourselves be carried away by panic (or: We cannot give in to panic).
A veces es bueno dejarnos descansar.
A2Sometimes it's good to allow ourselves to rest.
💡 Grammar Points
Infinitive + Nos
When 'nos' is attached to the infinitive ('dejarnos'), it usually means the subject (we) is also the one receiving the action (us). This structure is often used when the verb is governed by another verb, like 'poder' or 'deber' (e.g., 'Debemos dejarnos...').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Pronoun Placement
Mistake: "Saying 'Nos debemos dejar' instead of 'Debemos dejarnos'."
Correction: Both are correct, but when you have two verbs (a conjugated verb + an infinitive), attaching the pronoun to the end of the infinitive ('dejarnos') is generally more common and flows better.
⭐ Usage Tips
Internal Action
Think of 'dejarnos' as an action where the permission or allowance starts and ends with 'us'—it's an internal decision or state.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dejarnos
Question 1 of 1
Which of these sentences uses 'dejarnos' in the sense of 'breaking up'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Dejarnos vs. Dejar?
'Dejar' means simply 'to leave' or 'to let' (e.g., 'Dejé mi libro' - I left my book). 'Dejarnos' means the action involves 'us' in a special way—either 'we leave each other' (reciprocal) or 'we let ourselves' (reflexive). The little 'nos' changes who is affected by the verb.
How do I conjugate 'dejarnos'?
You don't conjugate 'dejarnos' directly because it's the infinitive form. You conjugate the base verb 'dejar' and place the 'nos' before the conjugated verb (e.g., 'Nos dejamos' - We break up/We let ourselves) or attach it to the end of the infinitive/gerund (e.g., 'Vamos a dejarnos').