Inklingo

How to Say "you stopped" in Spanish

English → Spanish

dejaste

deh-HAHS-tay/deˈxaste/

VerbB1General
Use 'dejaste de + infinitive' when you mean 'you stopped doing something'.
A storybook illustration depicting a friendly adult holding open a wooden fence gate with an inviting gesture towards a waiting child, symbolizing giving permission.

Examples

Dejaste de comer saludable y subiste de peso.

You stopped eating healthy and gained weight.

¿Por qué dejaste que ese problema creciera tanto?

Why did you let that problem grow so much?

Le dijimos que no lo hiciera, pero tú lo dejaste.

We told him not to do it, but you allowed it.

¿Finalmente dejaste de fumar cuando te lo pedí?

Did you finally stop smoking when I asked you to?

Dejar + Que Structure

When using 'dejar' to mean 'allow,' you often follow it with 'que' and then the next verb in a special form called the subjunctive (e.g., 'dejaste que comiera').

Stopping Habits: Dejar de

To express that 'you quit' a habit in the past, always use the pattern 'dejaste de' plus the action (e.g., 'Dejaste de beber' = You quit drinking).

Allow vs. Cause

Mistake: “Confusing 'dejaste' (you allowed) with 'hiciste' or 'causaste' (you made it happen).”

Correction: Dejar implies permission or inaction. If you actively caused it, use 'hiciste' or 'obligaste'.

dejaras

deh-HAH-rahs/deˈxaɾas/

VerbB2General
Use 'dejaras de + infinitive' when referring to a hypothetical or past action that you stopped, often in conditional or subjunctive contexts.
A cheerful figure setting down a paintbrush and palette onto a table next to an easel, indicating they have stopped the activity.

Examples

Si dejaras de preocuparte tanto, dormirías mejor.

If you stopped worrying so much, you would sleep better.

Si dejaras de fumar, te sentirías mucho mejor.

If you stopped smoking, you would feel much better.

Era importante que dejaras de preocuparte tanto.

It was important that you stop worrying so much.

The 'De' Preposition

When 'dejar' means 'to stop' or 'to quit,' it must always be followed by the preposition 'de' before the next verb: 'dejar de [infinitive]'.

Missing the 'de'

Mistake: “Using 'Si dejaras estudiar' (If you quit study).”

Correction: The correct structure is 'Si dejaras de estudiar' (If you quit studying). The 'de' is mandatory here.

Dejaste vs. Dejaras Confusion

Learners often confuse 'dejaste' and 'dejaras' because they both relate to stopping. Remember that 'dejaste' is typically used for a completed action in the past (you stopped), while 'dejaras' is usually in the past subjunctive, implying a hypothetical or less direct past action (if you were to stop, or that you stopped).

Related Translations

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