What does it mean word for word?
deixa pra lá is a contraction of deixa para lá, which literally means "leave it for there".
Which one should you use?
While deixa pra lá suggests letting a matter go, esquece (which literally means "forget it") is a more abrupt way to tell someone to disregard what was said. Additionally, deixa quieto can be used to mean "let it rest" or "leave it alone."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
deixa pra lá is used in informal conversations. The use of the contraction pra instead of the full word para makes it conversational. Esquece and paciência are also used in informal settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word paciência can be used in certain Portuguese-speaking regions, such as Brazil, to imply "nevermind."
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase deixa pra lá, deixa is the imperative command form of the verb deixar (to leave or let) in the second person singular.
Did you know?
- The word lá in the phrase deixa pra lá traces its roots back to the Latin word illāc, which actually meant 'that way'.
- In Brazil, you might hear someone say paciência as a way to say 'nevermind' or 'never mind that'.
- Even though it is standard in speech, writing the phrase as deixa para lá instead of using the contraction pra can make you sound much more formal or even stiff.
Examples in context
- Ah, eu encontrei, deixa pra lá.Oh, I found it, nevermind.This sentence shows how to use deixa pra lá after finding something that was previously lost.Tatoeba #2482797 by MarlonX19, translation #2098913 by gleki
- Seu relatório já foi enviado? Ah, não se preocupe, eu já o encontrei.Has your report been sent? Oh, nevermind, I already found it.
- Não se preocupe com os detalhes, deixa pra lá.Don't worry about the details, nevermind.
- Não importa mais, já resolvemos a situação.Nevermind, we have already resolved the situation.
- Esquece o que eu disse, deixa pra lá.Forget what I said, nevermind.
- Esquece, não é importante.Nevermind, it's not important.
- Ah, paciência, deixa pra lá!Ah, nevermind, forget it!
- Deixa pra lá, eu já resolvi o problema.Nevermind, I already solved the problem.
- Não precisa se preocupar, deixa pra lá.No need to worry, nevermind.
Example conversation
Mariana is trying to find a pen and Lucas offers to help.
- MarianaVocê viu a minha caneta, Lucas?Did you see my pen, Lucas?
- LucasNão vi, quer que eu procure?I didn't see it, do you want me to look?
- MarianaAchei aqui na bolsa, deixa pra lá.I found it here in the bag, nevermind.
- LucasTudo bem, sem problemas.All right, no problem.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deixa, lá, pra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
