Inklingo

How to Say "i let" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dejo

DEH-hoh/ˈdexo/

verbA1general
Use 'dejo' to express general permission or to state that you habitually allow something to happen in the present.
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.

dejé

verbB1general
Use 'dejé' to talk about a specific instance in the past where you allowed or did not allow something to happen.

Examples

El guardia no me dejé pasar sin identificación.

The guard didn't let me pass without ID.

Present vs. Past Actions

Learners often confuse 'dejo' and 'dejé' by using the present tense ('dejo') for a specific past event. Remember that 'dejo' is for ongoing or habitual permission, while 'dejé' refers to a single completed action in the past.

Related Translations

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