Inklingo
Dictionary

dejen

DEH-hen (like 'day-hen')ˈde.xen

“dejen” means “leave” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

leaveA1Verb

as a command (plural, formal)

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allowB1Verb

as a command (plural, formal)

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stopB2Verb

as a command (plural, formal)

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leave, letAlso: they leave, they abandon

VerbA1regular ar
A person's silhouette is seen walking away from a brightly lit doorway, symbolizing departure or leaving.
past Participledejado
infinitivedejar
gerunddejando

📝 In Action

Dejen sus abrigos en el guardarropa, por favor.

A1

Leave your coats in the cloakroom, please.

Espero que ellos dejen un mensaje antes de irse.

A2

I hope they leave a message before leaving.

¡Dejen de gritar ahora mismo!

B1

Stop shouting right now!

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • Dejen la puerta abierta – Leave the door open
  • Dejen todo listo – Leave everything ready

allow, permitAlso: they allow

VerbB1regular ar
A large, sturdy wooden door is standing wide open, revealing a bright, inviting path beyond, symbolizing allowance or permission.

📝 In Action

Dejen a los niños jugar afuera un rato más.

A2

Let the children play outside a little longer.

El guardia insiste en que no dejen pasar a nadie sin identificación.

B1

The guard insists that they don't allow anyone to pass without ID.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • Dejen de lado las quejas – Set aside the complaints

Idioms & Expressions

  • Dejen en paz – Leave someone alone

stop, quitAlso: they stop

VerbB2regular ar
A large, stylized red hand is raised vertically in the center of the frame, making the universal gesture for 'stop'.

📝 In Action

¡Dejen de comer dulces! Es hora de cenar.

B2

Stop eating sweets! It's dinner time.

El doctor sugirió que dejen el café por unos días.

B2

The doctor suggested that they quit coffee for a few days.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • paren (stop (command))
  • cesen (cease (command))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • Dejen de fumar – Stop smoking

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yodejara/dejase
túdejaras/dejases
él/ella/usteddejara/dejase
nosotrosdejáramos/dejásemos
vosotrosdejarais/dejaseis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdejaran/dejasen

Present Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Present

yodejo
túdejas
él/ella/usteddeja
nosotrosdejamos
vosotrosdejáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesdejan
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "dejen" in Spanish:

allowleaveletpermitquitstopthey abandonthey allow

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: dejen

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'dejen' in the sense of 'allow/permit'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
dejar(to leave, to let) — Verb
dejada(abandonment; drop shot (sports)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes
tejencejen
📚 Etymology

Comes from the Vulgar Latin verb *laxare*, meaning 'to loosen' or 'to relax,' which is also the root for the English word 'relax.' Over time, its meaning shifted from 'loosen' to 'let go' and eventually to 'leave' or 'allow.'

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: deixarCatalan: deixar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'dejen' a formal or informal command?

'Dejen' is the formal plural command (the 'ustedes' form). If you were speaking informally to a group of friends (vosotros, used mainly in Spain), the command would be 'dejad'.

How do I know if 'dejen' means 'leave' or 'allow'?

Look at what follows it. If it is followed by a direct object (Dejen las maletas), it means 'leave/place.' If it is followed by a person and then another verb (Dejen a Juan comer), it means 'allow/let.'