dejado solo
/dexado solo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'left alone' is translated as dejado solo.
The phrase is used to describe the state of being abandoned or left by others in a place.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the past participle of dejar (to leave/let) and the adjective solo (alone).
Which one should you use?
While the word solo is spelled identically to the word meaning 'only', in this specific context, it means 'alone' (without others).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must agree in gender and number with the person or people being left alone. Use dejado solo for a masculine singular subject, dejada sola for a feminine singular subject, dejados solos for a masculine plural or mixed group and dejadas solas for a feminine plural group.
Did you know?
- While dejado solo refers to being abandoned, a Spanish speaker who wants privacy or is annoyed will say déjame en paz, which literally means 'leave me in peace'.
- In some regions, me dejaron solo is used idiomatically to mean a person was left to manage a difficult task or responsibility without any support.
- The word solo traces its roots back to the Latin 'sōlus', which is the direct ancestor of the English word 'sole' used in terms like 'sole survivor'.
Examples in context
- Tras su renuncia, la empresa me dejó abandonado sin ningún apoyo.After his resignation, the company left me abandoned without any support.
- En la fiesta, me dejaron de lado y me sentí muy triste.At the party, they left me aside, and I felt really sad.
- Mis amigos se fueron y me dejaron solito en el parque.My friends left, and they left me all alone in the park.
- Después del accidente, me quedé solo(a) en el hospital.After the accident, I was left alone in the hospital.
Example conversation
Maria and Alejandro are talking about a lost child.
- MaríaMira a ese niño, parece dejado solo.Look at that boy, he seems left alone.
- AlejandroTienes razón, no hay ningún adulto cerca.You're right, there is no adult nearby.
- MaríaNo podemos dejarlo solo aquí, Alejandro.We cannot leave him alone here, Alejandro.
- AlejandroVamos a buscar a sus padres ahora.Let's go look for his parents now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dejado, solo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
