déjame
/dexame/from spelling rules
The English phrase "leave me" is translated into Spanish as déjame.
This phrase is used as a request for someone to stop touching you or to stop bothering you. While déjame can mean "leave me" in the sense of "let me" (for example, déjame ir for "let me go"), when you want someone to stop bothering you, it is almost always paired with en paz (in peace) or solo/a (alone).
What does it mean word for word?
déjame is a combination of the imperative form of the verb dejar (to leave or let) and the object pronoun me (me).
How does it change in a sentence?
In the word déjame, the pronoun me is attached to the end of the verb because the verb is in the imperative (command) mood.
How do you pronounce it?
/dexame/
Did you know?
- In Spain, you might hear déjame en paz replaced by the more intense no me des la brasa, which literally means 'do not give me the ember'.
- If you use the polite form déjeme instead of déjame, you might actually sound more sarcastic or aggressive depending on the tone. While it is grammatically more formal, using the 'usted' form in a heated argument can feel cold and distancing.
- In some Latin American countries, telling someone déjame en paz can be seen as much more severe than the English 'leave me alone'. It can imply a total rejection of the person's presence or even a breaking of a relationship.
Examples in context
- Vete y déjame en paz.Go away and leave me alone.This sentence shows how to use déjame to tell someone to leave you alone.Tatoeba #11737450 by Seael, translation #9188549 by CK
- Él dijo: «Déjame solo».He said: "Leave me alone."This sentence provides an example of the phrase déjame used in a statement about leaving someone alone.Tatoeba #898411 by Shishir, translation #288324 by Swift
- Él dijo: "¡déjame solo!"He said: "Leave me in peace!"This sentence uses déjame to express a demand to be left in peace.Tatoeba #490922 by Shishir, translation #430062 by witbrock
- Jefe, por favor, déjeme estar solo/a un rato para poder concentrarme mejor.Boss, please leave me alone for a while so I can concentrate better.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía is trying to help Javier with his coat.
- Javier¡Déjame! Puedo hacerlo yo mismo.Leave me alone! I can do it myself.
- LucíaSolo quería ayudarte, Javier.I just wanted to help you, Javier.
- JavierAhora mismo no quiero ayuda.I don't want help right now.
- LucíaEstá bien, lo siento.Alright, I'm sorry.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
