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How to Say "quit" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “quit” is “dejó” — use 'dejó' when referring to stopping an action or habit, like rain stopping or someone ceasing to smoke..

English → Spanish

dejó

verbB1general
Use 'dejó' when referring to stopping an action or habit, like rain stopping or someone ceasing to smoke.

Examples

Dejó de fumar hace un año.

He quit smoking a year ago.

renunciar

reh-noon-see-AR/renunˈsjaɾ/

verbB1formal
Use 'renunciar' specifically when you are formally resigning from a job or position.
A person in professional attire dropping a large, ceremonial key into a return box near an office door, symbolizing resignation from a position.

Examples

Ella renunció a su trabajo para viajar por el mundo.

She quit her job to travel the world.

Si no estás feliz, debes renunciar a ese puesto.

If you are not happy, you should quit that post.

El director ha decidido renunciar a la presidencia.

The director has decided to step down from the presidency.

The 'A' Connection

When you specify what you are quitting, 'renunciar' almost always needs the little word 'a' (to/from) right before the thing you are giving up: 'Renunciar al trabajo' (Quit the job).

Forgetting the Preposition

Mistake: “Voy a renunciar el trabajo.”

Correction: Voy a renunciar *al* trabajo. (Remember 'al' is 'a' + 'el'.)

dejara

/deh-HAH-ra//deˈxaɾa/

verbB1general
Use 'dejara' in a subjunctive context, often expressing a hope or desire that someone would quit a bad habit or a job.
A storybook illustration of a bright red teddy bear sitting alone on a long wooden park bench, suggesting it was left behind.

Examples

Esperaba que Mario dejara ese mal hábito de fumar.

I hoped Mario would quit that bad habit of smoking.

Si usted dejara la llave en la caja, no tendríamos problemas.

If you were to leave the key in the box, we wouldn't have problems.

Dejar de + Infinitive

When 'dejara' is followed by 'de' and another verb (like 'dejara de fumar'), it always means 'to stop doing something' or 'to quit'.

verbB1general
Use 'abandonó' when someone stops participating in an activity or competition, or leaves something behind.

Examples

Ella abandonó la carrera justo antes de la meta.

She quit the race just before the finish line.

dejado

/de-HA-do//deˈxa.ðo/

verb (Past Participle)A2general
This is the past participle form, often used with 'haber' to form the present perfect tense, like 'have quit' or 'have left'.
A simple image showing a set of house keys resting alone on a wooden table, illustrating the action of leaving something behind.

Examples

¿Has dejado de comer dulces?

Have you quit eating sweets?

He dejado las llaves sobre la mesa.

I have left the keys on the table.

Mis padres no me han dejado ir a la fiesta.

My parents haven't let me go to the party.

¿Has dejado ya tu antiguo trabajo?

Have you already left your old job?

The 'Have Done' Form

Dejado is the past participle of dejar. You'll almost always see it with the verb haber (like 'have' or 'has') to talk about actions that are completed. For example, he dejado means 'I have left'.

Always Stays the Same with 'Haber'

When you use dejado with haber (like in he dejado, has dejado, etc.), it never changes. It's always dejado, no matter who did the action or what they left.

Using it Alone for Past Actions

Mistake: “Yo dejado mis llaves en casa.”

Correction: Use `Yo dejé...` for a simple past action, or `Yo he dejado...` for a 'have left' action. You can't use `dejado` by itself as the main verb.

Job vs. Habit

The most common confusion is between 'renunciar' (for jobs) and 'dejar' or 'abandonar' (for habits or activities). Remember, 'renunciar' implies a formal resignation, while the others suggest stopping something less formal.

Related Translations

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