dejaste
/deh-HAHS-tay/
you left
The image shows the concept of you left (an object behind).
dejaste(Verb)
you left
?when leaving a place or object behind
,you forgot
?when leaving an object accidentally
you gave up
?less common, related to leaving a habit
📝 In Action
¿Dónde dejaste tu mochila anoche?
A1Where did you leave your backpack last night?
Dijiste que me llamaste, pero no dejaste mensaje.
A2You said you called me, but you didn't leave a message.
Llegaste tarde porque dejaste el coche lejos, ¿verdad?
A2You arrived late because you left the car far away, right?
💡 Grammar Points
The Preterite Tense
This form ('dejaste') tells us about an action that happened once and was completely finished in the past. It’s for quick, defined moments.
Tú Form
The '-aste' ending is the classic signal that the simple past action was done by 'tú' (you, informal singular).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Leaving vs. Returning
Mistake: "Using 'dejaste' when you mean 'you returned something' ('devolviste')."
Correction: Use 'dejaste' only when you physically abandoned or forgot something. If you brought it back, use a verb like 'devolver'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Dejar' for Forgetting
Spanish speakers often use 'dejar' (to leave) instead of 'olvidar' (to forget) when talking about leaving an object somewhere unintentionally. For example: 'Dejaste el paraguas' (You left the umbrella).
This illustration depicts you allowed by showing permission being granted to pass through a gate.
dejaste(Verb)
you allowed
?giving permission
,you let
?permitting an action
you stopped
?when used with 'de' (dejaste de comer)
📝 In Action
¿Por qué dejaste que ese problema creciera tanto?
B1Why did you let that problem grow so much?
Le dijimos que no lo hiciera, pero tú lo dejaste.
B1We told him not to do it, but you allowed it.
¿Finalmente dejaste de fumar cuando te lo pedí?
B2Did you finally stop smoking when I asked you to?
💡 Grammar Points
Dejar + Que Structure
When using 'dejar' to mean 'allow,' you often follow it with 'que' and then the next verb in a special form called the subjunctive (e.g., 'dejaste que comiera').
Stopping Habits: Dejar de
To express that 'you quit' a habit in the past, always use the pattern 'dejaste de' plus the action (e.g., 'Dejaste de beber' = You quit drinking).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Allow vs. Cause
Mistake: "Confusing 'dejaste' (you allowed) with 'hiciste' or 'causaste' (you made it happen)."
Correction: Dejar implies permission or inaction. If you actively caused it, use 'hiciste' or 'obligaste'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Shortened Usage
In quick replies, you can use '¿Y tú dejaste?' ('And you let it?') to express surprise that permission was given.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dejaste
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation is correct for 'Dejaste el teléfono en la mesa'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'dejaste' and 'dejabas'?
'Dejaste' (preterite) means the action happened and finished at one specific point in the past (e.g., 'You left the keys at 5 PM'). 'Dejabas' (imperfect) describes an ongoing or repeated past action (e.g., 'You used to leave the keys there every day').
Is 'dejaste' formal or informal?
'Dejaste' is the informal way ('tú' form) of saying 'you left' or 'you allowed.' If you need to speak formally, you would use 'usted dejó' ('you (formal) left').