Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| entregar | /entɾeˈɡaɾ/ |
| dropear | /dɾopeˈaɾ/ |
When you mean to deliver or hand over an item, such as a package, you use entregar. If you mean to leave a person or an object at a destination, such as dropping someone off at a station, dejar is more common for everyday contexts. In certain Latin American countries, the verb llevar is also used to express the idea of dropping something or someone off.
Which one should you use?
Use entregar when the focus is on the act of handing over an object or a package to a person. For the more general sense of leaving something or someone at a location, dejar is more appropriate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and certain Central American regions, the informal verb soltar can be used to mean 'to drop off'. In certain Latin American countries, llevar is used for this purpose.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are dropping a person off using the verb dejar, you must use the personal 'a' after the verb (e.g., dejar a alguien).
How do you pronounce it?
/entɾeˈɡaɾ/
Did you know?
- In a military context, Spanish uses entregar not just to 'drop off' an object, but to 'surrender' a city or a weapon.
- In Spanish, the verb entregar is a cognate of the English word 'integrate'. Both trace back to the Latin word integrāre, meaning to restore or make whole.
- The Spanglish term dropear is common in gaming communities and urban areas to describe dropping digital files or items.
Examples in context
- Quiero dejar este paquete en la oficina de correos.I want to drop off this package at the post office.
- Voy a entregar los documentos en la recepción.I'm going to drop off the documents at the reception.
- ¿Puedes dejarme en la parada de autobús?Can you drop me off at the bus stop?
- Tengo que entregar el paquete en la oficina.I have to drop off the package at the office.
- Ella puede entregar las llaves en la recepción.She can drop off the keys at the reception.
- ¿Me puedes entregar el libro en la biblioteca?Can you drop off the book at the library for me?
Example conversation
María and Daniel are discussing a delivery task.
- María¿Puedes entregar este documento en la recepción, Daniel?Can you drop off this document at the reception, Daniel?
- DanielSí, lo haré después de almorzar.Yes, I will do it after lunch.
- MaríaGracias, eres muy amable.Thank you, you are very kind.
- DanielDe nada, María.You're welcome, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drop off” translations and entries entregar, dropear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dropear, entregar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
