Inklingo

dejarnos

de-HAR-nos/deˈxaɾnos/

dejarnos means to break up in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to break up, to leave each other

Also: to split up
VerbB1regular ar
A simple illustration showing two simplified figures standing on a path, turning their backs to each other and walking away in opposite directions, symbolizing the end of a relationship.
infinitivedejar
gerunddejando
past Participledejado

📝 In Action

Después de diez años, decidieron dejarnos.

B1

After ten years, they decided to break up.

Si seguimos peleando, vamos a tener que dejarnos.

B2

If we keep fighting, we are going to have to leave each other.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • separarse (to separate)
  • terminar (to end)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • dejarnos en pazto leave us alone

to let ourselves, to allow ourselves

Also: to give ourselves up to
VerbA2regular ar
An illustration of two happy, relaxed, simplified figures lying side-by-side in brightly colored hammocks under a sunny sky, symbolizing giving themselves permission to rest.
infinitivedejar
gerunddejando
past Participledejado

📝 In Action

Debemos dejarnos disfrutar el momento.

A2

We must let ourselves enjoy the moment.

No podemos dejarnos llevar por el pánico.

B1

We cannot let ourselves be carried away by panic (or: We cannot give in to panic).

A veces es bueno dejarnos descansar.

A2

Sometimes it's good to allow ourselves to rest.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • permitirnos (to permit ourselves)
  • consentir (to consent)

Common Collocations

  • dejarse llevarto let oneself go / to get carried away

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/usteddeja
yodejo
dejas
ellos/ellas/ustedesdejan
nosotrosdejamos
vosotrosdejáis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddejaba
yodejaba
dejabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesdejaban
nosotrosdejábamos
vosotrosdejabais

preterite

él/ella/usteddejó
yodejé
dejaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesdejaron
nosotrosdejamos
vosotrosdejasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/usteddeje
yodeje
dejes
ellos/ellas/ustedesdejen
nosotrosdejemos
vosotrosdejéis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddejara
yodejara
dejaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesdejaran
nosotrosdejáramos
vosotrosdejarais

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: dejarnos

Question 1 of 1

Which of these sentences uses 'dejarnos' in the sense of 'breaking up'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
dejar(to leave, to let)Verb
la dejadez(laziness, neglect)Noun
dejarse(to let oneself, to give up)Verb
🎵 Rhymes
tomarnosllamarnos
📚 Etymology

The verb 'dejar' comes from the Latin verb *laxare*, meaning 'to loosen' or 'to relax.' This origin explains both the sense of 'leaving' (loosening your grip) and 'letting/allowing' (relaxing the rules). The added pronoun 'nos' comes from the Latin *nos* (us).

First recorded: Around the 10th century (as 'dexar').

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: deixarFrench: laisser

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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').