lejos
/ˈlexos/
In Spanish, the word for away is lejos.
lejos is used to describe someone or something that is not here or is gone. While it translates to away, it is more frequently used in Spanish to mean far or far away in terms of physical distance. To emphasize this distance or the sense of being far away, you can use the adverb muy before the word to say muy lejos (very far / far away).
Meaning: not here, gone (adj)
Which one should you use?
While lejos can mean away, it is more frequently used in Spanish to mean far in terms of distance.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say away from a specific object or person, you must follow lejos with the preposition de (lejos de).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlexos/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the phrase estar lejos can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is mentally absent or distracted, even if they are standing right next to you.
- The word lejos is a distant relative of the English word 'languid'. Both trace back to a root describing things that are loose or relaxed.
- While English speakers use 'away' for many different contexts, Spanish often uses lejos specifically for distance and switches to fuera to mean 'away' in the sense of being outside a boundary.
Examples in context
- Se fue muy lejos.He went far away.This sentence shows how to use lejos to express that someone went far away.Tatoeba #1586570 by marcelostockle, translation #294126 by CM
- Manda lejos a Tom.Send Tom away.This sentence demonstrates using lejos to mean sending someone away.Tatoeba #2625306 by Shishir, translation #2235878 by CK
- Estate lejos de mí.Keep away from me.This sentence illustrates using lejos with the preposition de to say stay away from someone.Tatoeba #632648 by Shishir, translation #25539 by CK
- El hotel está lejos del aeropuerto.The hotel is far from the airport.
- Había dejado su teléfono lejos de su escritorio.He had left his phone away from his desk.
- Me fui lejos de la ciudad para relajarme.I went away from the city to relax.
- Voy a estar fuera de casa por unos días.I'll be away from home for a few days.
- 100 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are planning a trip to a mountain village.
- Alejandro¿Está lejos el pueblo?Is the town far away?
- SofíaSí, está muy lejos de la ciudad.Yes, it is very far away from the city.
- AlejandroEntonces debemos ir en coche.Then we should go by car.
- SofíaTienes razón, Alejandro.You are right, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry lejos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lejos, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
