Inklingo

How to Say "don't leave" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dejes

/DEH-hess//ˈdexes/

verbA1informal
Use 'dejes' when you are commanding someone not to abandon or forsake you or something, implying a sense of leaving behind.
A small figure is gently holding the arm of a larger figure who is facing away, symbolizing a plea or command for the larger figure to stay.

Examples

¡No me dejes aquí solo!

Don't leave me here alone!

¡No me dejes aquí!

Don't leave me here!

No dejes la puerta abierta, por favor.

Don't leave the door open, please.

No dejes de llamarme cuando llegues.

Don't forget to call me when you arrive. (Literally: Don't stop calling me...)

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).

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!

salgas

/sahl-gahs//ˈsalɣas/

verbA2informal
Use 'salgas' when commanding someone not to exit a place or situation, often in the context of going out or leaving an enclosed space.
A child is stepping through an open doorway, moving from the interior of a room to the exterior, illustrating the action of leaving or departing.

Examples

No salgas de casa hasta que te llame.

Don't leave the house until I call you.

Quiero que salgas a tomar un poco de aire fresco.

I want you to go out and get some fresh air.

No creo que salgas con ella este fin de semana.

I don't think you are dating her this weekend. / I don't think you will go out with her this weekend.

¡No salgas sin tu paraguas, va a llover!

Don't leave without your umbrella, it's going to rain!

The Subjunctive Mood

Salgas is the special verb form (present subjunctive) you must use after words that express wishes, emotions, necessity, or doubt, especially when two different people are involved (e.g., 'I want that you leave').

Negative Commands

When you tell someone (tú) 'Don't leave,' you use 'No salgas.' The negative command form is exactly the same as the present subjunctive form.

Confusing Indicative and Subjunctive

Mistake: “Espero que sales pronto. (Using the regular present tense)”

Correction: Espero que salgas pronto. (Using the special form for wishes). Remember to use 'salgas' when you are wishing or hoping for the action.

Don't confuse leaving behind with exiting

Learners often mix up 'dejes' and 'salgas' because both relate to 'leaving'. Remember that 'dejes' focuses on abandonment or being left behind, while 'salgas' is about the act of exiting or going out.

Related Translations

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