Inklingo

How to Say "they let" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dejan

DEH-hahn/deˈxan/

verbA2general
Use 'dejan' when 'they let' means they are allowing or permitting something to happen.
Two people standing on either side of a wooden gate, holding it open for a third person who is walking through.

Examples

Mis padres me dejan salir hasta las once.

My parents let me go out until eleven.

Los guardias no dejan pasar a nadie después de las diez.

The guards don't let anyone pass after ten o'clock.

Si ustedes me dejan explicar, todo tendrá sentido.

If you all let me explain, everything will make sense.

Ellas no dejan que sus hijos vean televisión tarde.

They don't allow their children to watch television late.

Structure: Dejar + Infinitive

When 'dejar' means 'to let' or 'to allow,' it is usually followed directly by another verb in its base form (the infinitive): 'dejan entrar' (they let enter).

Using 'que' (The Subjunctive Trigger)

If you want to say 'They allow that someone does something,' you must use 'dejar que' and the verb that follows changes to the special subjunctive form: 'Dejan que estudie' (They let him study).

dejaron

/de-HA-ron//deˈxa.ɾon/

verbA2general
Use 'dejaron' when 'they let' implies they did not prevent or interfere with something happening.
An adult figure handing a large, shiny key to a smaller child figure. The child is standing next to a slightly opened wooden gate.

Examples

Los guardias nos dejaron pasar sin revisar las bolsas.

The guards let us pass without checking the bags.

Ustedes dejaron que el problema creciera demasiado.

You all allowed the problem to grow too much.

Permission vs. Non-Interference

The most common mistake is using 'dejan'/'dejaron' interchangeably when permission is specifically implied. Remember, 'dejan' focuses on granting permission, while 'dejaron' emphasizes the absence of obstacles or intervention.

Related Translations

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