déjalo
/dexalo/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for 'leave it' is déjalo.
Déjalo is a command used to tell someone to stop touching or disturbing something. It can be used in a physical sense, such as leaving an object in a specific place or idiomatically to mean 'leave it alone' or 'stop bothering it'. Other related phrases include Deja eso en paz to mean 'leave it in peace' (used to divert attention or stop interference) and No toques eso to mean 'don't touch that'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word déjalo is composed of the imperative verb deja (leave/let) and the direct object pronoun lo (it).
Which one should you use?
While déjalo is used for the physical act of leaving an object or to mean 'leave it alone', you might use Suéltalo if you want to say 'let it go' or 'drop it' in an informal context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the phrase Deje eso ahí can be used to mean 'leave that there'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes based on the gender of the object and the level of formality. If the object being referred to is a feminine noun, use déjala instead of déjalo.
How do you pronounce it?
/dexalo/
Did you know?
- The related phrase dejar en visto is modern slang used across Spanish-speaking countries to describe 'leaving someone on read' in a digital chat.
- In Spain, the phrase déjalo pasar is used not only for physical movement but also to mean 'let it slide' or 'ignore a social faux pas'.
- While déjalo is a command, the phrase déjalo así is often used to mean 'leave it as it is' or 'don't worry about fixing it'. This is commonly used when someone tries to apologize for a small mistake.
Examples in context
- Déjalo en la mesa.Leave it on the table.This example shows how to use déjalo to indicate a location for an object.Tatoeba #2136851 by Shishir, translation #11188332 by CK
- Déjalo en mis manos.Leave it in my hands.This example demonstrates using déjalo to specify who should hold the object.Tatoeba #2515690 by caiser, translation #2515686 by CK
- Déjalo donde lo encontraste.Leave it where you found it.This example shows how to use déjalo to instruct someone to keep an object where it was found.Tatoeba #530651 by Shishir, translation #42473 by CK
- Déjalo, no quiero hablar de eso ahoraLeave it, I don't want to talk about it now
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier is fiddling with a delicate gadget on the desk.
- Elena¡Déjalo ahora mismo!Leave it right now!
- Javier¿Por qué?Why?
- ElenaEs muy frágil, Javier.It is very fragile, Javier.
- JavierEstá bien, no tocaré nada.Alright, I won't touch anything.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
