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How to Say "i leave" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dejo

DEH-hoh/ˈdexo/

verbA1general
Use 'dejo' when you mean 'I put down' or 'I deposit' an object in a specific place.
A close-up illustration of a hand gently setting a small, bright red box down onto a plain wooden surface, depicting the action of depositing an object.

Examples

Siempre dejo mi bicicleta en el garaje.

I always leave my bicycle in the garage.

No dejo que nadie use mi teléfono.

I don't let anyone use my phone.

Dejo de fumar mañana, lo prometo.

I quit smoking tomorrow, I promise.

Stopping an Action

When you want to say 'I stop doing something,' you must use the structure 'dejo de' followed by the action verb in its base form: 'Dejo de correr' (I stop running).

'I allow' vs. 'I leave'

The meaning is usually clear from the context. If 'dejo' is followed by 'que' and a person, it means 'I let/I allow': 'Dejo que ellos salgan' (I let them go out).

Leaving a Place

Mistake: “Yo dejo la fiesta.”

Correction: When you mean 'I am leaving a place,' you should use 'irse' or 'salir': 'Yo salgo de la fiesta' (I leave the party). Use 'dejar' for objects.

salgo

SAHL-goh/ˈsal.ɣo/

verbA1general
Use 'salgo' when you are physically departing from a location, like leaving home or a building.
A stylized figure is shown stepping across the threshold of a simple wooden doorway, moving from a darker interior space into a bright, colorful exterior, symbolizing departure.

Examples

Yo salgo de casa a las ocho de la mañana.

I leave the house at eight in the morning.

¿Vas al cine? Sí, salgo ahora mismo.

Are you going to the cinema? Yes, I'm going out right now.

Salgo con mis amigos todos los viernes.

I go out with my friends every Friday (or: I hang out with my friends).

The 'Yo' Form Exception

Even though 'salir' ends in -ir, the 'yo' (I) form is irregular and adds a 'g' before the 'o'. This is a common pattern for many high-frequency verbs, so look out for it!

Using 'de' after 'salgo'

When saying where you are leaving from, you must always use the word 'de' (from): 'Salgo de la oficina' (I leave from the office).

Forgetting the 'g' Sound

Mistake: “Yo salo”

Correction: Yo salgo. Remember the 'g' is necessary only for the 'I' form in the present tense to keep the sound correct.

marcho

MAHR-choh/ˈmaɾ.tʃo/

verb formA1informal
Use 'me marcho' to announce that you are leaving a place right now, often due to time or circumstance.
A cheerful cartoon traveler, wearing a small backpack, walking away down a winding path towards the background. The traveler is waving goodbye over their shoulder.

Examples

Ya es muy tarde, me marcho.

It's very late already, I'm leaving.

Si no hay nada más, me marcho a almorzar.

If there's nothing else, I'm going off to have lunch.

Me marcho de vacaciones el viernes.

I'm leaving on vacation on Friday.

The Reflexive 'Me'

Since 'marcho' comes from 'marcharse' (to leave oneself), you must include the little word 'me' before it: 'Me marcho.' This 'me' tells you that the action is happening to the person speaking.

Contrast with 'Marchar'

The non-reflexive verb 'marchar' means 'to march' or 'to work/function.' Only 'marcharse' means 'to leave.' 'El reloj marcha' (The clock works), but 'Me marcho' (I leave).

Forgetting the Reflexive Pronoun

Mistake: “Yo marcho.”

Correction: Yo me marcho. You must include the 'me' when you mean 'I am leaving' to make it clear you are using the reflexive verb.

abandono

/ah-bahn-DOH-noh//aβanˈdono/

verbA2general
Use 'abandono' when you mean 'I abandon' or 'I forsake' a person, place, or responsibility.
A person walking away from a small cottage toward a distant horizon, leaving the door open.

Examples

Yo nunca abandono a mis amigos.

I never abandon my friends.

Si el clima es malo, abandono el proyecto.

If the weather is bad, I'll give up on the project.

The 'I' form

In Spanish, the 'o' at the end of 'abandono' tells you that 'I' am the one doing the action right now.

Leaving vs. Abandoning

The most common confusion is between 'dejo'/'salgo'/'marcho' (to depart or put down) and 'abandono' (to abandon). Remember that 'abandono' implies a stronger sense of desertion or giving up on something or someone, while the others refer to a simple departure or placement.

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