Inklingo

How to Say "left" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “left” is “dejó” — use this for the simple past tense of 'to leave' something or someone behind, or to describe causing a state or feeling..

dejó🔊A1

Use this for the simple past tense of 'to leave' something or someone behind, or to describe causing a state or feeling.

{ui.learnMore}
dejado🔊A2

Use this as the past participle for compound tenses, like 'have left', referring to leaving something behind.

{ui.learnMore}
izquierdo🔊A1

This is the direct translation for the direction 'left' as opposed to 'right'.

{ui.learnMore}
salido🔊A1

Use this past participle when referring to someone or something having departed or gone out, especially from a place.

{ui.learnMore}
marchó🔊A2

Use this for the simple past tense when someone departed from a place, emphasizing the act of leaving.

{ui.learnMore}
abandonó🔊A2

Use this for the simple past tense when someone deserted or abandoned a person or place, implying neglect.

{ui.learnMore}
partido🔊A2

Use this past participle when the meaning is 'split' or 'divided', like splitting a cake into pieces.

{ui.learnMore}
quedado🔊A2

Use this to describe something that remains or is left behind after other things have been taken or used.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

dejó

verbA1general
Use this for the simple past tense of 'to leave' something or someone behind, or to describe causing a state or feeling.

Examples

Ella dejó las llaves en la mesa.

She left the keys on the table.

dejado

verb (Past Participle)A2general
Use this as the past participle for compound tenses, like 'have left', referring to leaving something behind.

Examples

He dejado las llaves sobre la mesa.

I have left the keys on the table.

izquierdo

ees-KEE-air-doh/isˈkjeɾðo/

adjectiveA1general
This is the direct translation for the direction 'left' as opposed to 'right'.
A thick red arrow pointing horizontally to the left on a plain background.

Examples

Mi coche está en el carril izquierdo.

My car is in the left lane.

La puerta izquierda no cierra bien.

The left door doesn't close well.

Necesitas girar a la calle izquierda.

You need to turn onto the left street.

Changing the Ending

As an adjective, 'izquierdo' must match the noun it describes. Use 'izquierdo' (masculine singular), 'izquierda' (feminine singular), 'izquierdos' (masculine plural), or 'izquierdas' (feminine plural).

Mixing up Adjectives and Adverbs

Mistake: “Gira izquierdo.”

Correction: Gira a la izquierda. (The direction 'to the left' uses the feminine noun form 'la izquierda', not the masculine adjective 'izquierdo'.)

salido

verb (Past Participle)A1general
Use this past participle when referring to someone or something having departed or gone out, especially from a place.

Examples

El tren ya ha salido de la estación.

The train has already left the station.

verbA2general
Use this for the simple past tense when someone departed from a place, emphasizing the act of leaving.

Examples

Ella marchó de la casa sin decir adiós.

She left the house without saying goodbye.

verbA2general
Use this for the simple past tense when someone deserted or abandoned a person or place, implying neglect.

Examples

Él abandonó a su familia hace muchos años.

He abandoned his family many years ago.

Past ParticipleA2general
Use this past participle when the meaning is 'split' or 'divided', like splitting a cake into pieces.

Examples

Hemos partido la tarta en seis trozos.

We have split the cake into six pieces.

AdjectiveA2general
Use this to describe something that remains or is left behind after other things have been taken or used.

Examples

El dinero que me había dado mi abuela estaba quedado en el cajón.

The money my grandmother had given me was left/remained in the drawer.

Simple Past vs. Past Participle

The most common confusion is between the simple past ('dejó', 'marchó', 'abandonó') and the past participle ('dejado', 'salido', 'partido', 'quedado'). Remember that past participles are used with 'haber' to form compound tenses (e.g., 'he dejado') or as adjectives, while simple past verbs stand alone.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.