Inklingo

How to Say "leave!" in Spanish

English → Spanish

deja

/DEH-hah//ˈde.xa/

Verb (Command Form)A2Informal
Use 'deja' as an informal command (tú form of 'dejar') to tell someone to stop doing something or to put something down.
A large, firm hand pointing down decisively at a small puppy that is actively chewing on a leather shoe, commanding it to stop.

Examples

¡Deja eso en el suelo!

Leave that on the floor!

Por favor, deja de hacer tanto ruido.

Please, stop making so much noise.

¡Deja que yo lo intente!

Let me try it!

Giving Commands

'Deja' is the command form you use when talking to one person you know well (the 'tú' form). It's a direct instruction. For example, telling a friend: 'Deja tu abrigo aquí' (Leave your coat here).

Using 'Deja' with 'Usted'

Mistake: “Saying 'Deja' to someone you should be formal with, like a boss or an older stranger.”

Correction: For formal commands (usted), the form changes to 'deje'. For example: 'Señor, deje su maleta aquí, por favor.' (Sir, leave your suitcase here, please).

sales

/SAH-les//ˈsa.les/

VerbA1Informal
Use 'sales' (the tú form of 'salir') to ask or state what time someone departs from a place, like work or home. It implies movement away from a location.
A simple storybook illustration of a young figure cheerfully stepping out of a brightly colored doorway onto a green lawn, symbolizing departure.

Examples

¿A qué hora sales del trabajo?

What time do you leave work?

Si sales tarde, perderemos el tren.

If you go out late, we will miss the train.

¡Sales de mi vista!

Get out of my sight!

The 'Go' Verb Irregularity

'Salir' is irregular in the 'yo' present tense ('yo salgo') and the future/conditional stems ('saldr-'). The 'tú' form ('sales') is regular in the present tense but highly irregular as a simple command ('sal').

Confusing Tenses

Mistake: “Tú salgo (using the wrong ending).”

Correction: Tú sales. The 'sales' form is exclusively for the informal 'you' (tú) in the present tense.

Leaving vs. Letting Go

Learners often confuse 'deja' (let go/stop) with 'sales' (depart/exit). Remember that 'deja' is about ceasing an action or releasing an object, while 'sales' is about physically exiting a place.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.