dejes
/DEH-hess/
you leave
The image shows someone departing, illustrating the meaning 'you leave' in a conditional context.
dejes(Verb)
you leave
?used after expressions of desire, doubt, or emotion (e.g., 'I want you to leave')
you let
?used after expressions of permission or suggestion (e.g., 'I doubt you'll let me')
📝 In Action
Espero que no me dejes solo.
A2I hope you don't leave me alone.
Quiero que dejes tus zapatos en la entrada.
A2I want you to leave your shoes at the entrance.
Dudo que me dejes conducir tu coche nuevo.
B1I doubt that you'll let me drive your new car.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Wishing and Wanting' Verb Form
'Dejes' is a special form of 'dejar' used after phrases that express wishes, doubts, emotions, or suggestions. For example, after 'Quiero que...' (I want that...), you use 'dejes', not the usual 'dejas'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'dejas' instead of 'dejes'
Mistake: "Espero que me dejas un mensaje."
Correction: Espero que me dejes un mensaje. After phrases like 'espero que' (I hope that), Spanish requires this special '-es' ending for '-ar' verbs when talking about 'tú'.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Simple Swap: 'a' for 'e'
A helpful pattern for many verbs: the normal 'tú' form ends in '-as' (like 'dejas'). For this special 'wishing' form, you often just swap the 'a' for an 'e' to get 'dejes'.
This illustration captures the command 'don't leave,' depicting one character asking another to stay.
dejes(Verb)
don't leave
?as a command
don't let
?as a command (e.g., 'don't let it fall')
,don't stop
?in the phrase 'no dejes de...'
📝 In Action
¡No me dejes aquí!
A1Don't leave me here!
No dejes la puerta abierta, por favor.
A1Don't leave the door open, please.
No dejes de llamarme cuando llegues.
B1Don't forget to call me when you arrive. (Literally: Don't stop calling me...)
💡 Grammar Points
How to Say 'Don't!' to a Friend
To tell a friend (someone you call 'tú') NOT to do something, you use 'no' followed by this special 'dejes' form. For example, 'No dejes la luz encendida' (Don't leave the light on).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Don't Leave' and 'Leave!'
Mistake: "No deja tus cosas en el suelo."
Correction: No dejes tus cosas en el suelo. The positive command is 'deja', but the negative one changes to 'dejes'. They look similar but are used differently!
⭐ Usage Tips
A Command and a Wish in One
You might notice this is the same word as the 'wishing' form. That's a great pattern to remember! For many verbs, the way you say 'don't' is the same as the form you use after 'I hope that...'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: dejes
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'dejes' to express a wish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'dejes' look different from the normal 'tú' form, 'dejas'?
Great question! Spanish has a special mood for things that are uncertain, wished for, or commanded negatively. For many verbs, this involves swapping the main vowel. So the 'a' in 'dejas' becomes an 'e' in 'dejes' to show this special meaning. It's a key feature of Spanish grammar.
Can I use 'dejes' to talk about the past?
No, 'dejes' is only for the present. To express similar ideas about the past, you'd use a different form, like 'dejaras' or 'dejases'. For example, 'Esperaba que me dejaras un mensaje' (I was hoping you would leave me a message).