Inklingo

How to Say "we leave" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “we leave” is “dejamos” — use 'dejamos' when you are leaving behind an object, a place in a general sense, or ceasing to do something.

English → Spanish

dejamos

deh-HAH-mosdeˈxa.mos

verbA1general
Use 'dejamos' when you are leaving behind an object, a place in a general sense, or ceasing to do something.
Two colorful figures walking away from a small, stylized house, illustrating the act of leaving a location.

Examples

Siempre dejamos una nota para el cartero.

We always leave a note for the mail carrier.

Dejamos el perro con mi hermana durante el viaje.

We left the dog with my sister during the trip. (Past Tense - Preterite)

¿Dónde dejamos los abrigos?

Where do we put the coats?

Present vs. Past

The form 'dejamos' is tricky because it means 'we leave' (Present) AND 'we left' (Simple Past). You must use context or time markers (like 'ayer' or 'siempre') to tell them apart.

Confusing 'Dejar' and 'Salir'

Mistake: “Using 'Dejamos de la casa' to mean 'We leave the house.'”

Correction: Use 'Salimos de la casa' for leaving a location. Use 'Dejamos' only if you are leaving something (an object, a person) behind.

salimos

sah-LEE-mohssaˈlimos

verbA1general
Use 'salimos' specifically when you are departing from a location or going out from a place.
Two small, stylized human figures are walking through an open doorway of a house, actively stepping outside onto a path.

Examples

Siempre salimos a comer los viernes.

We always go out to eat on Fridays.

¡Rápido! Salimos en cinco minutos.

Quick! We are leaving in five minutes.

The 'We' Form Ambiguity

The 'nosotros' (we) form is the only verb form that looks identical in both the Present Tense ('we leave') and the Simple Past Tense ('we left') for all -IR and -ER verbs. You must rely on context or time markers (like 'ayer' or 'hoy') to know which one is meant.

Confusing 'Leave' vs. 'Exit'

Mistake: “Usar 'dejamos' para 'we leave the house'.”

Correction: Use 'salimos de la casa'. 'Dejar' is usually for leaving an object behind (e.g., 'we leave the book').

Leaving vs. Going Out

The most common mistake is using 'dejamos' when you actually mean 'salimos'. Remember, 'dejamos' is for leaving *things* or ceasing an action, while 'salimos' is for physically departing from a place or going out.

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