abandonar
/abandoˈnaɾ/
To drop out in Spanish is abandonar. Wiktionary also lists renunciar and dejar.
Meaning: to prematurely leave an occasion or event (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| abandonar | /abandoˈnaɾ/ |
| renunciar | /renunˈθjaɾ/ /renunˈsjaɾ/ |
| dejar | /deˈxaɾ/ |
| dimitir [de] | /dimiˈtiɾ de/ (word by word) |
The phrase refers to prematurely leaving an occasion or event.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using renunciar to mean dropping out of something like a right or a position, it must be followed by the preposition a (renunciar a).
How do you pronounce it?
/abandoˈnaɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse dejar [noun] (to drop out of/leave a noun) with dejar de [verb] (to stop doing an action). Do not add de if you are naming the institution you are leaving.
Did you know?
- The word dejar is an unexpected relative of the English words 'lax' and 'laxative'. Both come from the Latin root laxāre, which means to loosen or set free.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the act of abandonar a project or school can carry a heavier emotional weight of 'desertion' than the English phrase 'drop out'.
- While dejar is used to 'drop out' of a school, it is also the common word used when you 'leave' your keys on a table.
Examples in context
- Si estuviera en su lugar no dejaría la escuela.I wouldn't drop out of school if I were you.This sentence uses dejar to talk about dropping out of school.Tatoeba #10131173 by Shishir, translation #10132012 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Estás totalmente seguro de que quieres dejar la escuela?Are you absolutely sure you want to drop out of school?This sentence uses dejar to ask about dropping out of school.Tatoeba #2050318 by Shishir, translation #2042612 by CK
- Tom decidió abandonar la escuela y trabajar tiempo completo.Tom decided to drop out of school and work full-time.This sentence uses abandonar to describe the decision to drop out of school.Tatoeba #1673436 by marcelostockle, translation #1094958 by CK
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are discussing a shared sports tournament.
- ElenaMateo, ¿vas a abandonar el torneo?Mateo, are you going to drop out of the tournament?
- MateoSí, no tengo tiempo para entrenar.Yes, I don't have time to train.
- ElenaEs una lástima que decidas abandonar.It's a shame that you've decided to drop out.
- MateoLo siento, es la mejor opción.I'm sorry, it's the best option.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drop out” translations and entries abandonar, renunciar, dejar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (dimitir, de) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abandonar, dejar, dimitir, renunciar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
